 Section 35 of the Dream of the Red Chamber. Book 2. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Dream of the Red Chamber. Book 2. By Charles Shuteen. Translated by Henry Bencroft Jolie. Chapter 42, Part 2. Bao Chai noticed how from shame the blood rushed to her face and how vehement she was in her entreaties. And she felt both depressed her with questions. So putting her into a siege to make her have a cup of tea, she said to her in a gentle tone, Home do you take me for? I too am wayward. From a youth up? Yeah, ever since I was seven or eight. I've been enough trouble to people. Our family was also what one would term literary. My grandfather's extreme delight was to be ever with a book in his hand. At one time, we numbered many members and sisters and brothers all lived together. But we had a distaste for wholesome votes. Among my brothers, some were partial to a versus. Others had a weakness for blank poetical compositions. And our collection of books even included the western side house and the guitar. Even up to the hundred and one books of the UN authors. These books they stealthily read behind our backs. And we on our part, devoured them on the slide without their knowing it. Subsequently, our father came to get wind of it and some of us he beat while others he scolded, burning some of the books and throwing away others. It is therefore as well that we girls shouldn't know anything of letters. Men who study books but don't understand the right principle can't moreover reach the standard of those who don't go in for books. So how much more such as ourselves? Even versifying, writing and the light pursuits aren't in the line of such as you and me. Indeed, not a day within the portion of a man. Man who go in for study and phantom the right principles should cooperate in the government of the empire. And should rule the nation. This would be a nobler purpose. But one doesn't nowadays hear of the very existence of such persons. Hence, the study of books makes them worse than they ever were before. But it isn't the books that ruin them. The misfortune is that they make improper use of books. That is why study doesn't come up to plowing and sowing and trading. As these pursuits exercise no serious, pernicious influences. As far however, as Sue and I go, we should devote our minds simply to matters connected with needlework and spinning. For we will then be fulfilling our legitimate duties. Yet it so happens that we too know a few characters. But as we can read, it behoves us to choose no other than awesome words. For these will do us a know-how. What are most to be shared are those low books. As when once they pervert the disposition, there remains no remedy whatever. While she indulged in this long rigmarole, Da Yu lowered her head and sipped her tea. And though she secretly shared the same views on the subjects, all the answers she gave her in a sense was limited to one single word, yes. But at an unexpected moment, Shuyun appeared in the room. Our Lady Lin, she said, requests the presence of both of you, young ladies, to consult with you in an important matter. Miss Secunda, Miss Tershia, Miss Quater, Miss Xi and Mr Bao, our master Secundus, are there waiting for you. Once again, Bao Chai inquired. You and I will know what it is when we get there. Da Yu explained. So say it, she came with Bao Chai into the Da Xiao village. Here they in fact discovered everyone assembled. As soon as Li Wen caught sight of the two cousins, she smiled. The society has barely been started, she observed. And here's one who wants to give us the slip, that girl Quater wishes to apply for a whole year's leave. It's that single remark of our worthy seniors yesterday that is at the bottom of it. Da Yu laughed. For by beating her execute some painting or other of the garden, she has put her in such high feather that she applies for leave. Don't be so hard upon our dear ancestor. Bao Chai rejoined, a smile playing on her lips. It's entirely due to that illusion of Grandmother Liu's. Da Yu speedily took up the threat of their conversation. Quite so, she smiled. It's all through that remark of hers, but of what branch of the family is she a grandmother. We should merely address her as the female locust. That's all. As she spoke, what I know were highly amused. When any mortal language finds its way into that girl's phone's mouth, Bao Chai laughed, she knows how to turn it to the best account. What a fortunate thing it is that that vixen phone has no idea of letters and can't boast of much culture. Her forte is simply such vulgar things as suffice to raise a laugh. Worse than her is that ping-er with that coarse tongue. She has recourse to the devices of the Jun Chiu by selecting from the vulgar expressions used in low slang. The most noteworthy points she eliminates was commonplace and mixed with the addition of a little elegance and finish, a style so much like that of the text that each sentence has a peculiar character of its own. The three words representing female locust bring out clearly the various circumstances connected with yesterday. The wonder is that she has been so quick in devising them. After lending a year to her arguments, they all laughed. Those explanations of yours, they cried, show well enough that you are not below those two. Pray, let's consult as to how many days leave to grant her the one proposed. I gave her a month, but she thinks it's too little. What do you say about it? Probably speaking, that you put in one year isn't much. The laying out of this garden occupied the whole year and to paint a picture of it now will certainly need two years time. She'll have to rub the ink to moisten the pencils to stretch the paper to mix the pigments and to, when she had reached this point, even Dai Yu could not restrain herself from laughing. If she goes on so leisurely to work, she exclaimed, won't she require two years time? Those who caught this insinuation clapped their hands and indulged in incessant merriment. Her innuendos are full of zest, Bao Chai ventured lovingly, but what takes the cake is that last remark is not leisurely going to work. For if she weren't to paint at all, how could she ever finish her task? Hence, those jokes cracked yesterday were sufficient, of course, to evoke laughter, but, on second thought, they're devoid of any fun. Just you carefully ponder over Ping'er's words. Obed state don't amount too much. You'll nevertheless find, when you come to reflect on them, that there's plenty of gusto about them. I've really had such a laugh over them that I can scarcely move. It's the way that cousin Bao Chai pops her up, see-tune observed, that makes her so much the more arrogant that she turns me also into a laughing stock now. Dai Yu hastily smiled and pulled her towards her. Let me ask you, she said, are you only going to paint the garden, or will you insert us in it as well? My original idea was to have simply painted the garden, see-tune explained, but our worthy senior told me again yesterday that a mere picture of the grounds would resemble the plan of a house, and recommended that I should introduce some inmates too so as to make it look like what a painting should. I've knitted the neck for the fine work necessary for towels and terraces, nor have I the skill to draw representations of human beings. But as I couldn't very well raise any objections, I find myself at present on the horns of a dilemma about it. Human beings are an easy matter, Dai Yu said. What beats you are insects. Here you are again with your trash, anyone exclaimed? Will there be any need to also introduce insects in it? As far however as birds go, it may probably be advisable to introduce one or two kinds. If any other insects are not put in the picture, Dai Yu smiled, it won't matter, but without yesterday's female locusts in it, it will fall short of the original. This retort evoked further general amusement. While Dai Yu laughed, she beat her chest with both hands. Begin painting at once, she cried. I've even got the title all ready. The name I've chosen is, Picture of a locust brought in to have a good feed. At these words, they laughed so much the more heartily that at a time they bent forward, and at another they leaned back. But a sound of kutong then fell on their ears, and unable to make out what could have dropped, they anxiously and precipitately looked about. It was, they found, Xu Xiangyun, who had been reclining on the back of the chair, the chair had from the very outset not been put in a sure place. And while indulging in hearty merriment, she threw her whole weight on the back. She did not, besides notice that the dovetails on each side had come out, so with a tilt towards the east, Xu as well as the chair toppled over in a heap. Luckily, the wooden partition wall was close enough to arrest before, and she did not sprawl on the ground. The sight of her created more amusement than ever among all her relatives. So far so that they could scarcely regain their equilibrium. It was only after Bao Yu had rushed up to her and given her a hand and raised her to her feet again that they at last managed to gradually stop laughing. Bao Yu then went at Da Yu. Da Yu grasps his meaning and forthwith withdrawing into the inner room. She lifted the cover of the mirror and looked at her face. She found a hair about her temples slightly disheveled, so promptly opening Li Wen's toilet case and extracting a narrow brush, she stood in front of the mirror and smoothed it down with a few touches. Afterwards, laying the brush in this place, she stepped into the outer suite. Is this, she said pointing at Li Wen, doing what you told and showing us how to do needlework and teaching us manners? Why? Instead of that, you press us to come here and have a good room and a hearty laugh. Just you listen to her perverse talk. Li Wen laughed. She takes the lead and kicks up a rumpus and incites people to laugh. And then she throws the blame upon me. In real truth, she's a despicable thing. What I wish is that you should soon get some dreadful mother-in-law and several property and abominable older and younger sisters-in-law and we'll see then whether you'll still be as perverse or not. Dai Yu at once became quite scarlet in the face and pulling Bao Chai. Let us, she added, give her a whole year's leave. I've got an impartial remark to make. Listen to me, all of you. Bao Chai charmed in. A bet the girl or may have some idea about painting or she can manage a just a few outline sketches so that unless, not that she has to accomplish the picture of this garden, she can lay a claim to some ingenuity. Will she ever be able to succeed in effecting a painting? This garden resembles a regular picture. The rockeries and trees, towers and pavilions, walls and houses are as far as distances and density go, neither to numerous nor to few, such as it is, it is fitly laid out. But were you to put it on paper in straight compliance with the original, why? It will surely not elicit admiration. In a thing like this, it is necessary to pay due care to the various positions and distances on paper, whether they should be large or whether small and to discriminate between main and secondary. Adding what is needful to add, concealing and reducing what should be concealed and reduced and exposing to view what should remain visible. As soon as a rough copy is executed, it should again be considered in all its details for then alone will it assume the semblance of a picture. In the second place, all these towers, terraces and structures must be distinctly delineated. For with just a trifle of inattention, the wellings will slant, the pillars will be topsy-turvy, doors and windows will recline in a horizontal position, steps will separate, leaving collapse between them and even tables will be crowded into the walls and flower pots piled on portiers and wound it instead of turning out into a picture via mere caricature. Thirdly, proper care must also be devoted in the insertion of human beings to density and height, to the creases of clothing, to upers and cherches, to fingers, hands and feet, as these are most important details. For if even one stroke be not thoroughly executed, then if the hands be not swollen, the feet will be made to look as if they were lame. The coloring of faces and the drawing of the hair are minor points, but in my own estimation, they really involve intense difficulty. Now a year's leave is, on one hand, too excessive and a month's is, on the other, too little. So just give her half a year's leave. The beauty besides Kazanbao Yu to lend her a hand in her task, not that Kazanbao knows how to give any hints about painting, that in itself would be more of a drawback, but in order that in the event of there being anything that she doesn't comprehend or of anything perplexing her as to how best to insert it, Kazanbao may take the picture outside and make the necessary inquiries of those gentlemen who excel in painting. Matters will thus be facilitated for her. At this suggestion, Bao Yu was the first to feel quite enchanted. This proposal is first rates, he exclaimed, the towers and terraces might newly executed by Jiang Ziliang are so perfect and the beauty is painted by Cheng Ruixin, so extremely fine that I would go at once and ask them of them. I've always said that you fuss for nothing. Bao Chai interposed. I merely passed a cursory remark and there you want to go immediately and ask for things. Wait until we arrive at some decision in our deliberations and then you can go. But let's consider now what would be best to use to paint the picture on. I've got in my quarters, Bao Yu answered, some snow white wavy paper which is both large in size and proof against ink as well. Bao Chai gave a sarcastic smile. I do maintain, she cried, that you are a perfectly useless creature. That snow white wavy paper is good for pictures consisting of characters and for outline drawings or else those who have the neck of making landscapes use it for the painting scenery of the southern Song era as it resists ink and is strong enough to bear coarse painting. But were you to employ this sort of paper to make a picture of this garden on, it will neither stand the colors nor will it be easy to dry the painting but a fire. So not only won't it be suitable but it will be a pity to waste the paper. I'll tell you away how to get out of this. When this garden was first laid out, some detailed plan was used which although executed by a mere house decorator was perfect with regard to sights and bearings. Would better therefore ask for it of your worthy mother and apply as well to Lady Feng for a piece of fake glazed loose ring of the size of that paper and hand them to the gentleman outside. And request them to prepare a rough copy for you with any alterations or additions as might be necessary to make so as to accord with the style of these grounds. All that will remain to be done will be to introduce a few human beings no more than when you have to match the ashore and green pigments as well as the ground gold and the ground silver you can get those people again to do so for you. But you also have to bring an extra portable stove so as to have it handy for melting the glue and for washing your pencils after you have taken the glue off. You further require a large table painted white and covered with a cloth that lot of small dishes you have aren't sufficient. Your pencils too are not enough. It will be well consequently for you to purchase a new set of itch. Do I own such a lot of painting materials? Situant exclaimed. Why? I simply use any pencil that first comes under my hand to paint with. That's all. And as for pigments, I've only got four kinds. Oakery stone, Guang flower paint, Batan yellow and rouge. Besides these, all I have amounts to a couple of pencils for applying colors. No more. Why didn't you say so earlier? I'll try to remark. I've still got some of these things remaining but you don't need them so where I to give you any they lie uselessly about. I'll put them away for you now for a time and when you want them I'll let you have some. You should however keep them for the exclusive purpose of painting fans. For where you to paint such big things with them it would be a pity. I'll draw our list for you today to enable you to go and apply to our worthy senior for the items as it isn't likely that you people can possibly know all that's required. I'll dictate them and cousin Bao can write them down. Bao Yu had already got a pencil and ink slab ready for fearing that he might not remember clearly the various necessaries. He had to make up his mind to write a memorandum of them so the moment he heard Bao Chai's suggestion he cheerfully took up his pencil and listened quietly. Four pencils of the largest size Bao Chai commenced four of the third size four of the second size four pencils for applying colors on big ground four on medium ground four for small ground ten claws of large southern crabs ten claws of small crabs ten pencils for painting side hair and eyebrows twenty for laying heavy colors twenty for light colors ten for painting faces twenty willow twigs four answers of arrowhead pearls four answers of southern ochre four answers of stone yellow four answers of dark green four answers of metagite four answers of two yellow eight answers of long flower four boxes of lead powder ten sheets of grouche two hundred sheets of thin red gold leaves two hundred sheets of lead four answers of smooth glue from a two guang and four answers of pure alum the glue and alum for sizing the lusterin are not included so don't bother yourselves about them but just take the lusterin and give it to them outside to size it with alum for you you and I can scour and clarify all these pigments and thus amuse ourselves and prepare them for use as well I feel sure you will have an ample supply to last you a whole lifetime but you must also get ready four sieves of fine lusterin a pair of coarse ones four brush pencils four bowls some large some small twenty large coarse sources ten five inch plates three inch coarse white plates two stoves four large and small earthenware pans two new porcelain jars four new water buckets four one foot long bags make of white cloth two caddies of light charcoal one or two caddies of willow wood charcoal a wooden box with three drawers a jar of thick coarse two answers of fresh ginger half a caddy of soil two and an iron shuffle a study chimed in Daiyu with a smile full of irony to do what with them Bao Chai inquired you asked for fresh ginger soil and all these condiments so I indent for an iron kettle for you to cook the panes and eat them Daiyu answered to the intense merriment of one and all who gave way to laughter what do you, Ping'er, know about these things? Bao Chai laughed I was certain in my mind that you won't put those coarse colored plates straight way on the fire but unless you take the precaution beforehand of rubbing the bottom with ginger juice mixed with soil and of warming them dry they were bound to crack the moments they experienced the least heat is really so? they exclaimed with one voice after this explanation Daiyu perused the list for a while she then smiled and gave Tan Chen a talk just see we want to paint a picture and she goes on indenting for number of water jars and boxes but I presume she's got so muddled that she inserts a list of articles needed for her true soul Tan Chen at her remark laughed with such heartiness that it was all she could do to check herself Kazan Bao she observed during her mouth just ask her what disparaging things she said about you why need I ask Bao Chai smiled is it likely, pray, that you can get ivory out of a cursed mouth speaking the while she drew near and seizing Daiyu she pressed her down on the stove coach with the intention of pinching her face Daiyu smilingly hastened to implore for grades but dear Kazan she cried spare me Ping is young in years all she knows is to talk at random she has no idea what's proper and what's improper but you are my elder Kazan so teach me how to behave if you Kazan don't let me off to home can I go and address my entreaties little did however all who heard her apprehended they left some hidden purpose just right there they consequently pleaded smilingly so much as she to be pitied that even we have been modified to spare her and finish Bao Chai had at first meant to play with her but when she unawares heard her drag in again the advice she had tended her the other day with regard to the reckless arousal of unwholesome books she had once felt as if she could not have any father fuss with her and she let her rise to her feet it's you after all how the Kazan died you laughed had it been I I wouldn't have let anyone off Bao Chai smiled and pointed at her it is no wonder she said that our dear ancestor dotes on you and that everyone loves you even I have today felt my heart warm towards you but come here and let me put your hair up for you Dai Yu then in very deep swung herself round and crossed over to her Bao Chai arranged her cofure with her hands Bao Yu who stood by and looked on thought the style in which her hair was being made up better than it was before but of a sudden he felt sorry at what had happened as he fancied that she should not have let her brush her side hair but left it alone for a time being and asked him to do it for her while however he gave way to these erratic thoughts he heard Bao Chai speak we have done with what theirs was to write she said so you better tomorrow go and tell grandmother about the things if there be any at home well and good but if not get some money to buy them with I will then help you both in your preparations Bao Yu vehemently put the list away after which they all joined in a further chat on irrelevant matters and the evening meal over they once more repaired into only the jars apartments to wish her good night the grandmother had in the had nothing serious to matter with her her ailments had amounted mainly to fatigue to which a slight chill had been super so that having kept in the warm room for the day and taking a dose or two of medicine she and Tai Li got over the effects and felt in the evening quite like her own self again but we the the occurrences of the next day careers yet a mystery to you but the next chapter will diverge them and of section 35 section 36 of the dream of the red chamber book 2 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the puppet domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the dream of the red chamber book 2 by Chelsea routine translated by Henry Bancroft Jolie chapter 43 part 1 having time to amuse themselves the jar inmates graze when least expected funds to celebrate Lady Feng's birthday in his ceaseless affection for Jin Chuan Bai Yu uses for the occasion a pinch of earth as incense and burns it when Madam Wang saw for we will now proceed with our narrative that the extent of Daoja Lady jars in this position on the day she had been into the garden of broad vista amounted to a simple chill that no serious ailment had supervisioned and that her health had improved soon after the doctor had been sent for and she had taken a couple of doses of medicine she called Lady Feng to her and asked her to get ready a present of some kind for her to take to her husband, Jia Zhen but while they were reached in deliberation they perceived a waiting mate arrive she came from their old senior's part to invite them to go to her so with speedy step Madam Wang left the way already and they came over into her quarters pray may I ask Madam Wang then inquired whether you are feeling nearly were again now I'm quite alright today only the jar replied tonight, I've tasted the young Fizhen soup you sent me a little time back and find it full of relish I've also had two pieces of meat so I feel quite comfortable within me these dentees were presented to you the ancestor by their girl Feng Madam Wang smiled it only shows how sincere her video piety is she does not render the local senior ever lavish on her Dao Jiali Di Zhan noted her head assentingly she's too kind to think of me she answered smiling but should there be any more uncooked let them fry a couple of pieces and if these be thoroughly immersed in wine the kanji will taste well with them the soup is is too good but it shouldn't be prepared with fine rice after listening to her wishes Lady Feng expressed with a liberty her readiness to see them executed and directed a servant to go and deliver the message in the kokaus I sent the servant for you Dao Jiali Di Zhan meanwhile said to Madam Wang with a smile not for anything else but for the birthday of that girl Feng which falls on the second think of my mind two years ago to celebrate her birthday in proper style but when the time came there happened to be again something important to attend to and it went by without anything being done but this year the inmates are on one hand or here and they won't, I fancy be on the other anything to prevent us so we should all do our best to enjoy ourselves thoroughly for a day I was thinking the same thing Madam Wang rejoined and since it's your good pleasure, venerable senior why shouldn't we deliberate at once and decide upon something to the best of my recollection Dao Jiali Di Zhan resumed smiling whenever in past years I've had any birthday celebrations for any one of us no matter who it was we have ever individually sent our respective presents but this method is common and is also apt, I think to look very much as if there were some disunion but I will now devise a new way a way which won't have the effect of creating any discord and will be productive of good cheer let whatever way you may think best, dear ancestor be adopted, Madam Wang eagerly rejoined my idea is Holy Di Zhan lovingly continued that we too should follow the example of those poor families and raise a subscription among ourselves and devote the whole of whatever we may collect to meet the outlay for the necessary preparations what do you say, will this do or not this is a splendid idea Madam Wang acquires but what will I wonder will be the way adopted for raising contributions Holy Di Zhan was the more inspirited by her reply there and then she dispatched servants to go and invite Mrs. Cher, Madam Xin and the rest of the ladies and paid others summon the young ladies and Bao Yu but from the other mention Jiao Jun's spouse, Lai Da's wife even up to the wives of such as enjoined a certain amount of respectability were likewise to be asked to come round the sight of their old mistress the light filled the waiting-mates and married women with high glee as well and it hurried with vehemence to execute her respective errands those that were to be invited were invited and those that had to be sent for were sent for before the lapse of such time as could suffice to have a meal in the old as well as young the high as well as the low cramped in a black mass every bit of the available space in the rooms only Mrs. Cher and Dao Zha Li Dijia said opposite to each other Madam Xin and Wang simply seated themselves on two chairs which faced the door of the apartment Bao Chai and her five or six cousins occupied the stove-coach Bao Yu said on his grandmother's lap below the whole extent of the floor was crowded with inmates on their feet but old lady Zha fought with desire that a few small stools should be fetched when brought these were proffered to Lai Dai's mother and some other nurses who were advanced in years and held in respect for it was the custom in the Zha mansion that the family servants who had waited upon any of the fathers or mothers should enjoy a higher status than even young masters and mistresses hence it was said while Mrs. You, Lady Feng and other ladies remained standing below Lai Dai's mother and three or four other old nurses had after excusing themselves for their rudeness seated themselves on small stools Dao Zhu Li Li Zha recounted with a face beaming with smiles the suggestions she had shortly made for the benefits of the various inmates present and one and all of course were only too ready to contribute for the entertainment more some of them were on friendly terms with Lady Feng so they of their own free will adopted the proposal others lived in fear and trembling of Lady Feng and these were only two inches to make up to her everyone besides could well afford the means so that as soon as they heard of the proposed subscriptions they with one consent signified their acquaintances I'll give 20 tales already Zha was the first to say with a smile playing around her lips I'll follow your lead the Asinia Mrs. Sheer and also subscribed 20 tales we don't presume to place ourselves on an equal footing with your leadership Madame, Xin and Wang pleaded we of course come one degree lower each of us therefore will contribute 16 tales we too naturally ranked one step lower Mrs. You and Li Wen also smiled so will each give 12 tales you are a widow Dao Zha Li Zha eagerly demerred addressing herself to Li Wen and have lost all your estate so how could we drag you into all this outlay I'll contribute for you don't be in such high feather the Asinia Lady Feng hastily observed loving but just look to your accounts before you settle yourself with this burden you have already taken upon yourself two portions and do you now also volunteer 16 tales on behalf of my elder sister-in-law you may willingly do so while you speak in the abundance of your spirits but when you buy and buy come to ponder over what you have done you feel sorry at heart again it's all that girl Feng that's driven me to spend the money you say in a little time and you'll devise some ingenious way to invigorate me to fork out three or four times as much as your share and thus make up your deficit in an underhand way while I will still be as much in the clouds as if I were in a dream these words made everyone laugh according to you what should be done Dao Zha Li Zha lovingly inquired my birthday hasn't yet come Lady Feng smiled and already now I've been the recipient of so much more than I deserve that I'm quite unhappy but if I don't contribute a single cash I shall feel really ill at ease for the trouble I shall be giving such a lot of people it would be as well therefore that I should bear this share of my senior sister-in-law and when the day comes I can eat a few more things and thus be able to enjoy some happiness quite right and the other adds this suggestion so already Zha Dan signified her approval there's something more I'd like to add Lady Feng pursued smiling I think that is fair enough that you worthy ancestor should besides your own 20 tales have to stand two shares as well the one for cousin Lin the other for cousin Bao Yu and then Mrs. Share should be on her own 20 tales likewise for cousin Bao Chai's portion but it's somewhat unfair that the two ladies Madame Xin and Wang should each only give 16 tales when their share is small and when they don't subscribe anything for anyone else it's you vulnerable senior who will be the separer by this arrangement now the Lady Zha at this words burst out into a boisterous fit of laughter is this Hasi Feng she observed who after all takes my side what you say is quite right hadn't it been for you I would again have been duped by them dear senior Lady Feng smiled just hand over our two cousins to those two ladies and let each take one under her charge and finish if you make each contribute one share it will be square enough this is perfectly fair eagerly rejoined old Lady Zha let this suggestion be carried out that does matter hastily stood up this is such a subversion of right she smiled that I'll put my back up on account of the two ladies she's a son's wife on the other side and in here only a wife's brother's child and yet she doesn't inclined towards her mother-in-law and her aunt but takes other people's part this son's wife has therefore become a perfect stranger and a close niece has in fact become a distant niece as she said this Daju Lady Zha and everyone present began to laugh if the junior ladies subscribe 12 tails each that does matter went on to ask we must as a matter of course also come one degree lower huh? upon hearing this old Lady Zha remonstrated this won't do she observed you naturally should rank one degree lower but you are all unwell aware wealthy people and in spite of your status being somewhat lower your funds are more flourishing than theirs it's only just then that you should be placed on the same standing as those people the posse of nurses expressed with promptness the acceptance of the proposal they all mistress made the young ladies, Daju Lady Zha resumed should merely give something for the sake of appearances if each one contributes a sum proportionate to her monthly allowance it will be ample turning her head Yuan Yang, she cried a few of you should assemble in like manner and consult as to what share you should take in the matter so bring them along Yuan Yang assured her that her desires would be duly attended to and walked away but she had not been absent for any length of time when she appeared on the scene along with Ping'er, Zhe Ren, Zha Xia and other girls and a number of waiting mates as well of these some subscribed to tales others contributed one tale can it be Daju Lady Zha then said to Ping'er that you don't want any birthday celebrations for your mistress that you don't arrange yourself also among them the other money I gave Ping'er smiled I gave privately and is extra this is what I am publicly bound to contribute along with the lot that's a good child Lady Zha lovingly rejoined those above as well as those below have all alike given their share Lady Feng went on to observe with a smile but there are still those two sedentary wives are they to give anything or not do go and ask them it's but right that we should go to the extreme length and include them otherwise they will imagine that we have looked down upon them just so deeply answered Lady Zha at these words how is it that we forgot all about them the only thing is I fear they have got no time to spare yet tell a servant girl to go and ask them what they will do while she spoke a servant girl went off after a long absence she returned each of them, she reported will likewise contribute to tales Daju Lady Zha was delighted with the result for Japan and in slap she cried and let's calculate how much they amount to all together Mrs. Yu abused Lady Feng in a low tone of voice I'll take you you mean covetous creature and all these mothers in law and sisters in law have come forward and raised money to celebrate your birthday and are you yet not satisfied that you must also drag in those two miserable beings but what do you do it for try and talk less trash Lady Feng smiled also in an under tone you'll be leaving this place in a little time and then I'll square up accounts with you but why ever are those two miserable when they have money they uselessly give it to other people and isn't it better that we should get hold of it and enjoy ourselves with it while she uttered these taunts they computed that the collections would reach a sum over and above 150 tales we couldn't possibly run through all this for these theatricals and banquets or Lady Zha exclaimed as no outside guests are to be invited Mrs. Yu interposed and a number of tables won't also be many there will be enough to cover two or three days outlay first of all, there won't be anything to spend for theatricals so we'll effect a saving on that item just call whatever troop that girl Feng may say she likes best doubtfully they just suggested we've heard quite enough of the performances of that company of ours Lady Feng said let's therefore spend a little money and send for another and see what they can do I'll leave that to you Brother Zhang's wife or Lady Zha pursued in order that our girl Feng should have occasion to trouble her mind with as little as possible and be able to enjoy a day's peace and quiet it's only right that she should Mrs. Yu replied that she would be only too glad to do what she could they then prolonged their chat for a little longer until one and all realized that all senior must be quite fact out and they gradually dispersed after seeing Madame Xing and Wang off Mrs. Yu and the other ladies adjourned into Lady Feng's room to consult with her about the birthday festivities don't ask me Lady Feng urged do whatever will please our worthy ancestor what a fine thing you are to come across such a mighty piece of luck Mrs. Yu smiled I was wondering what had happened that she summoned us all why was it simply on this account not to brief a word about the money that I will have to contribute must I have trouble and annoyance to bear as well how will you show me any thanks don't bring shame upon yourself Lady Feng laughed I didn't send for you why should I be thankful to you if you funk the exertion go at once and let our venerable senior know and she'll depute someone else and have done you go on like this as you see her in such excellent spirits that's why Mrs. Yu smilingly answered it would be well I advise you to pull in a bit for if you be too full of yourself you'll get your due reward after some further quarrel quake these two ladies eventually parted company on the next day the money was sent over to the Lin Guo mansion at the very moment that Mrs. Yu had got up and was performing her toilet and ablutions who brought it she asked Nurse Lin, the servant girl set by way of response call her in Mrs. Yu said as far as the lower rooms and called to come in Mrs. Yu baked her seat herself on the foodstool while she hurriedly combed her hair and washed her face and hands she wanted to know how much the bundle contained in all this is what's subscribed by us servants and so I collected it and brought it over first as for the contributions of our venerable mistress and those of the ladies they aren't ready yet but simultaneously with this reply the waiting-maids announced our lady of the other mansion and Mrs. Share have sent over someone with their potions you mean wanges Mrs. Yu cried scolding them with a smile all the gumption you've got is to simply bear in mind this sort of nonsense in a fit of good cheer your mistress yesterday purposely expressed a wish to imitate those poor people and raise a subscription but you at once treasured it up in your memory and when the thing came to be canvassed by you, you treated it in real earnest don't you yet quick bundle yourselves out and bring the money in be careful and give them some tea before you see them off the waiting-maids smilingly hastened to go and take the delivery of the money and bring it in it consisted in all of two bundles and contained about chives and Dai Yu's shares as well whose shares are wanting Mrs. Yu asked those of our old lady of Madam Wang the young ladies and of our girls below are still missing Lin Ji Shao's wife explained also that of your senior lady Mrs. Yu proceeded you'd better hurry over my lady Lin Ji Shao's wife said for as this money will be issued through our mistress Sekunda she will nubble the whole of it while conversing, Mrs. Yu finished arranging her curfew and performing her ablutions and giving orders to see that the carriage was got ready she shortly arrived at the room mansion first and foremost she called on Lady Feng Lady Feng she discovered had already put the money into a packet and was on the point of sending it over is it all there Mrs. Yu asked yes it is Lady Feng smiled so you might as well take it away at once for if it gets mislaid I've nothing to do with it I'm somewhat distrustful Mrs. Yu laughed so I'd like to check it in your presence these words over she verbally checked some after some she fondly won't share a long wanting I said that you were up to traits lightly observed Mrs. Yu how is it that your elder sister in law isn't here there's all that money and isn't it yet enough Lady Feng smiled if there's merely a portion it shouldn't matter should the money prove insufficient I can then look you up and give it to you when the others were present yesterday Mrs. Yu pursued you were ready enough to act as any human being would but here you are again today prevaricating with me I won't by any manner of means agree to this proposal of yours I'll simply go and ask for the money I'm a vulnerable senior I see how dreadful you are Lady Feng laughed but when something turns up by and by I'll also be very punctilious so don't you then bear me a grudge well never mind if you don't give your quota Mrs. Yu smilingly rejoined very not that I consider the beautiful attentions you have all along shown me would I ever be ready to humor you so you produced Ping'er's share Ping'er come here she cried take this share of yours and put it away should the money collected turn out to be below was absolutely required I'll make up the sum for you Ping'er apprehended a meaning my lady she answered with a cheerful countenance it would come to the same thing if you were to first spend what you want and to give me afterwards it may remain of its is your mistress alone to be allowed to do dishonest acts Mrs. Yu laughed and am I not to be free to bestow a favor Ping'er had no option but to retain her portion I want to see Mrs. Yu edit where your mistress who is so extremely careful will run through all the money we have raised if she can't spend it on her coffin and make use of it there while still speaking she started on her way after first paying her respects to her she made a few general remarks and then we took herself into Yuan Yang's quarters where she held the consultation with Yuan Yang letting a patient ear to all that Yuan Yang had to recommend in a way of a program and as to how best to give pleasure to only the job she deliberated with her until they arrived at a satisfactory decision when the time came for Mrs. Yu to go she took the two tales contributed by Yuan Yang and gave them back to her there's no use for these she said and with these words still on her lips she straightway quitted her presence and went in search of Madam Wang after a short chat Madam Wang stepped into the family shrine reserved for the worship of Buddha so she likewise restored Chai Yun's share to her and awaiting herself of Lady Feng's absence she presently reimbursed to Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Zhao the amount of their respective contributions these two tales would not however presumed to take their money back your lot ladies is a pitiful one then exposed to ladies how can you afford all this spare money that Hasi Feng is well aware of the fact I'm here to answer for you at these assurances both put the money away with profuse expressions of gratitude and of section 36 section 37 of the dream of the red chamber book 2 this is a Libberbox recording all Libberbox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Libberbox.org the dream of the red chamber book 2 translated by Henry Bancraft Jolly chapter 43 part 2 in the trangle the second day of the ninth moon arrived the inmates of the garden that Mrs. You was making preparations on an extremely grand scale for not only was there to be a theoretical performance but jugglers and women's storytellers as well and they combined in getting everything ready that could conduce to afford amusement and enjoyment this is Li Wen Wen's to say to the young ladies the proper day for our literary gathering so don't forget it if Bao Yu hasn't appeared it must, I presume but that his mind is so preoccupied with the fuss that's going on that he has lost sight of all pure and refined things speaking go and see what he is up to she enjoined a wedding maid and be quick and tell him to come the wedding maid returned after a long absence Sister Hua says she reported that he went out of doors so not the daylight this morning the result of the inquiries filled everyone with surprise he can't have gone out they said this girl is stupid and doesn't know how to speak they consequently also directed Tui Mo to go and ascertain the truth in a little time, Tui Mo returned it's really true she explained that he has gone out of doors he gave out that a friend of his was dead and that he was going to pay a visit of condolence there's certainly nothing of the kind Tang Chun interposed but whatever there might have been to call him away it wasn't right of him to go out on an occasion like the present one just call Jiu Ren here and let me ask her but just as she was issuing these directions she perceived Jiu Ren appear on the scene no matter what he may have had to attend to today, Liu Wen and the rest remarked he shouldn't have gone out in the first place is your mistress Secunder's birthday and our douchy lady is in such buoyant spirits that the various inmates with a high or low have the intention to join in the fun and low he goes off secondly, this is the proper day as well for holding our first literary gathering and he doesn't so as a fly for leave but stealthily sneaks away Jiu Ren if'd a sign he said last night she explained that he has something very important to do this morning that he was going to meet Prince Beijing's mansion but that he would hurry back I'd advised him not to go but of course he wouldn't listen to me when he got out of bed at daybreak this morning he asked for his plain clothes and put them on so I suppose some lady of note belonging to the household of Prince Beijing must have departed this life but who can tell if such be truly the case Li Wen and her companions exclaimed he's quite right that he should have gone over for a while but he should have taken care to be back in time this remark over they resumed their deliberations let's write our verses they said and we can find him on his return as these words were being spoken they aspired a messenger dispatched by Dao Zhili Dijia to ask them over so they once adjourned to the front part of the compound Dijia then reported to his grandmother what Bao Yu had done Oli Dijia was upset by the news so much so that she issued immediate orders to a few servants to go and fetch him Bao Yu had in fact been rooting over some affair of the heart a day in advance and therefore gave proper injunctions to Bei Ming as I shall be going out of doors tomorrow at daybreak we'd better get ready to horses and wait at the back door no one else need follow as an escort tell the Gui that I've gone to the Bei Mansion in the event of anyone wishing to start in search of me put him place every obstacle in the way as all inquiries are dispensed with let him simply explain that I've been detained in the Bei Mansion but that I shall surely be back shortly Bei Ming could not make our head or tail of what he was driving at but he had no alternative than to deliver his message word for word at the first blush of morning of the day appointed he actually got ready to horses and remained in waiting at the back gate when daylight set in he perceived Bao Yu make his appearance from the side door got up from head to foot in a plain suit of clothes without uttering a word he mounted his seat and stooping his body forward he proceeded at a quick step on his way down the road Bei Ming had no help but to follow suit and springing on his horse he took his master where are we off to he eagerly inquired from behind where does this road lead to Bao Yu asked this is the main road leading out of the northern gate Bei Ming replied once out of it everything is so dull and dreary that there's nothing worth seeing Bao Yu caught this answer and nodded his head I was just thinking that a dull would be just the thing he observed while speaking he administered his stick two more wax the horse quickly turned a couple of corners and trotted out of the city gate Bei Ming was more and more at a loss much to think of the whole affair yet his only cause was to keep pace closely in his master's track with one gallop they covered a distance of over seven or eight leaves but it was only when human habitation became gradually filled and far between that Bao Yu ultimately drew up his horse turning his head round is there any place here he asked where incense is sold incense Bei Ming shouted yes there is but what kind of incense it is I don't know all other incense is worth nothing Bao Yu resumed after a moment's reflection we should get sandalwood, conifer and cedar these three these three thoughts are very difficult to get Bei Ming smiled Bao Yu was driven to his wits' ends but Bei Ming noticing his dilemma what do you want incense for he felt impaled to ask Master Secundus I've often seen you wear a small purse about your person full of tiny pieces of incense and why don't you see whether you've got it with you this solution was sufficient to suggest the idea to Bao Yu's mind both with he drew back his hand and felt the purse suspended under the pearl of his coat it really contained two bits of Chen Shu at this discovery he spent with the light the only thing that damned his spirits was the notion that there was a certain want of reverence in his proceedings but on second consideration he concluded that what he had about him was after all considerably superior to any he could purchase and with celebrity he went on to inquire about a censor and charcoal don't think of such things where could they be procured in a deserted and lonely place like this if you needed them why didn't you speak somewhat sooner and we could have brought them along with us would not this have been more convenient you stupid thing exclaimed about Yu had we been able to bring them along we wouldn't have had to run in this way as if for life beaming indulged in a projected referee after which he gave a smile a thought of something he cried but I wonder what you think about it master sequester you don't I expect only require these things you need others too I presume but this isn't the place for them so let's move on at once another couple of pleas when we'll get to the water spirit monastery is the water spirit monastery in this neighborhood while you eagerly inquired upon hearing his proposal yes that would be better let's press forward with this reply it touched his horse with his whip while advancing on their way it turned round the nun in this water spirit monastery he shouted to beaming frequently comes on a visit to our house so that when we now get there along of a sensor she is certain to let us have it not to mention that that's a place where our family burns incense beaming answered she could not dare to raise any objections to any appeal from us for alone where she even in a temple quite unknown to us there's only one thing I've often been struck with the strongest like you have for this water spirit monastery master and how is that you are now so delighted with the idea of going to it I've all along had the keenest contempt for those low-bred persons while you rejoined who without knowing why or wherefor foolishly offered sacrifices to the spirits and needlessly have temples erected the reason of it all is that those rich old gentlemen and unsophisticated wealthy women who lived in past days were only too ready the moment they heard of the presence of a spirit anywhere to take in hand the erection of temples to offer their sacrifices in without even having the faintest notion whose spirits they were this was because they readily credited as gospel truth such rustic stories and idol tales as a chance to reach their ears take this place as an example offerings are presented in this water spirit nunnery to the spirit of the le stream hence the name of what the spirit monastery has been given to it but people really don't know that in past days there was no such thing as a le spirit these are indeed no better than legendary yarns invented by and who would have thought it this sort of stupid people have put up images of it to which they offer oblations it serves however my purpose today so I will borrow of her whatever I need to use while engaged in talking they reached the entrance the old nun saw while you arrive and was federally taken aback so far was this visit beyond her expectations that well did it seem to her as if a life dragon had dropped from the heavens with a legality she rushed up to him and making inquiries after his health she gave orders to an old Taoist to come and take his horse while you stepped into the temple but without paying the least homage to the image of the le spirit he simply kept his eyes fixed intensely on it for a bit made of clay it actually seemed nevertheless to flutter as thus a terror stricken swan and to wriggle as a dragon in motion it looked like a lotus peeping its head out of the green stream or like the sun pouring its rays upon the rosette clouds in the early morn Baoyu's tears originally triggered down his cheeks the old nun presented tea Baoyu then asked her for the loan of a censor to burn incense in after a projected absence the old nun returned with some incense as well as several paper horses which she had got ready for him to offer but Baoyu would not use any of the things she brought take the censor he said to Beiming and go out into the back garden and find a clean spot but having been unable to discover one what about the platform round that well Beiming inquired Baoyu noted he said assentingly then along with him he repaired to the platform of the well he deposited the censor on the ground while Beiming stood on one side Baoyu produced the incense and threw it on fire with suppressed tears he performed half of the ceremony and turning himself round he made Beiming clear the things away Beiming acquires but instead of removing the things he speedily fell on his face and made several prostrations as his lips uttered this prayer I Beiming have been in the service of Master Sekundus for several years of the secrets of Mr. Sekundus heart there are none which I have not known save that with regard to this sacrifice today the object of which he has neither told me nor have I had the presumption to ask but thou, oh spirit who ask the recipient of these sacrificial offerings must, I expect a known doth I surname be to me be a most intelligent and supremely beautiful elder or younger sister unique among mankind without a peer even in heaven as my Master Sekundus cannot give events to the sentiments which fill his heart allow me to pray on his behalf should thou possess spirituality and holiness be thy share do thou often come and look up our Mr. Sekundus for persistently do his thoughts dwell with thee and there is no reason why thou should not come but should thou be in the abode of the dead run that our Mr. Sekundus too may in his coming existence be transformed into a girl so that he may be able to amuse himself with you all and will not disprove a source of pleasure to both sides at the close of his invocation he again knocked his head several times on the ground and eventually rose to his feet Baoyu lent an ear to his utterances but before they had been brought to an end he felt it difficult to repress himself from laughing at her cake don't talk such stuff and nonsense he shouted where any looker on to overhear what you say he jeered at you Beiming got up and pushed the center away while he walked along with Baoyu up already he said told the nun that you hadn't as yet had anything to eat Mr. Sekundus and I bade her get a few things so you must force yourself to take something I know very well that a grand banquet will be spread in our mansion today that exceptional bustle will prevail and that you have on account of this sir come here to get out of the way but as you are after all going to spend a whole day in peace and quiet in here you should try and divert yourself as best you can it won't therefore by any manner do for you to have nothing to eat I won't be at the theatrical performance to have any wine Baoyu remarked so what harm will there be in my having a drink here as the fancy takes me quite so rejoined Beiming but there's another consideration you and I have run over here but there must be some whose minds are ill at ease were there no one uneasy about us well what would it matter if we got back into town as late as we possibly could but if there be any solicitors on your account it's but right Master Sikunda that you should enter the city and return home in the first place our worthy old mistress and madam Wang who does compose the minds and secondly you observe the proper formalities if you succeed in doing nothing else but even supposing that when once you get home if you know inclination to look at a place and have anything to drink you can really wait upon your father and mother and acquit yourself of your filial piety well if it's only a matter of fulfilling this obligation and you don't care whether our old mistress and our lady your mother experience concern or not why the spirit itself which has just been the recipient of your oblations won't feel in a happy frame of mind the better therefore master ponder and see what you think of my words I see what you are driving at but you smiled you keep before your mind the thoughts that you are the only servant who has followed me as an attendant out of town and you give way to fear that you will on your return to the consequences you hence have recourse to these rendiliquent arguments to show words of counsel down my throat I've come here now with a sole object of satisfying certain rights and then go into a partake of the banquet and be a spectator of the place and I never mentioned one single word about any intention on my part not to go back to town for a whole day I've already accomplished the wish I fostered in my heart so if we hurry back to town so as to enable everyone to set their solicitude at rest won't the right principle be carried out to the full in one respect as well as another yes that would be better exclaimed payment conversing the while they went their way into the buddhist hall here the nun had a fact got ready a table with lantern vines while you hurriedly swallowed some refreshments and so did Beiming after which they mounted their seats and retraced their steps homewards by the road they had come Beiming followed behind Master Secundus he kept on shouting be careful how you ride that horse hasn't been ridden very much so hold him in tight a bit as he urged him to be careful they reached the interior of the city walls and making their entrance once more into the mansion by the back gate they betook themselves with all possible dispatch into the Yihong court Jiren and the other mates were not at home only a few old women were there to look after the rooms as soon as they saw him arrive they were so filled with gratification that their eyebrows dilated and their eyes smiled Amito for they said lovingly you've come you've all but driven Miss Hua mad from despair in the upper quarters they're just seated at the feast so be quick Mr. Secundus and go and join them as these words Bao Yu speedily divested himself of his plain clothes and put on a colored costume and served for festive occasions which he hung up with his own hands this done where are they holding the banquet being quiet they are in the newly erected large reception pavilion the old women responded upon catching the reply Bao Yu straight away started for the reception pavilion from an early moment the strains of fredelettes and pipes of saw and of wind instruments faintly fell on his ear the moment he reached the passage on the opposite side he discerned Yu Chun'er seated all along under the eaves of the revender giving way to tears as soon as she became conscious of Bao Yu's arrival she drew a long long breath smacking her lips she cried the phoenix has alighted going at once in another minute everyone would have been quite upset Bao Yu forced a smile just try and guess where I've been he observed Yu Chun'er twisted herself around and paying no notice to him she continued drying her tears Bao Yu had therefore no option but to enter with hasty step on his arrival in the reception hall he paid his greetings to his grandmother jar to Madam Wang and the other inmates and one and all felt in fact as happy to see him back as if they had come into the possession of a phoenix where have you been Dao Zhilili jar was the first to ask that you come back at this hour don't you yet go and pay your congratulations to your cousin and smiling she proceeded addressing herself to Lady Feng your cousin has no idea of what's right and what's wrong even though he may have had something present to do what didn't he utter just one word but stealthily bolted away on his own hook do this sort of thing ever do but should you behave again in this fashion by and by I shall, when your father comes home feel compelled to tell him to just ties you Lady Feng smiled congratulations are a small matter she observed but Kasan Bao you must on no account sneak away anymore without reading a word to anyone and not sending for some people to escort you for carriages and horses from the streets first and foremost you are the means of making people uneasy at heart and most more that isn't the way in which members of a family such as ours should go out and have doors Dao Jiali Weijia meanwhile went on reprimanding the servants awaited on him why she said do you all listen to him and readily go wherever he places without even reporting a single word but where did you really go continuing she asked did you have anything to eat or did you get any sort of fright a beloved wife of the Duke of Beijing departed this life Bao you merely returned for answer and I went today to express my condolences to him I found him in such bitter anguish that I couldn't very well leave him and come back immediately that's the reason why I tarried with him a little longer if hereafter you do again go out of doors slightly and on your own hook Dao Jiali Jia impressed on his mind without first telling me I shall certainly bid your father give you a canning Bao you signified his obedience with all prostitutes his grandmother Jia was then bent upon having the servants who were on attendance on him beaten but the various inmates did their best to dissuade her venerable senior they said you can well dispense with flying into a rage he has already promised he won't venture to go out again besides he has come back without any misadventure so we should all compose our minds and enjoy ourselves a bit already Jia had at first been full of solicitude she had as a man of course been in a state of despair and displeasure but seeing Bao Yu return in safety she felt immoderately delighted to such a degree that she could not reconcile herself to visit her resentment upon him she therefore dropped all mention of his excapade at once and as she entertained fears that he may have been unhappy or half had when he was away nothing to eat or got a start on the road she did not punish him but had contrary wise recalls to every sort of inducement to cause him to feel at ease but Jia Yuan soon came over and attended to his wants so the company once more turned their attention to the theatricals the play acted on that location was the record of the boxwood hairpin Nao Juli Dijia Mrs. Xie and the others were deeply impressed by what they saw and gave way to tears some however of the inmates were amused others were provoked to anger others gave events to abuse but reader do you wish to know the sequel if so the next chapter will explain it end of section 37 section 38 of the dream of the red chamber book 2 this is a liverbox recording all liverbox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liverbox.org the dream of the red chamber book 2 by Chao Shuqin translated by Henry Bencraft Jolie chapter 44 part 1 by some inscrutable turn of affairs lady phone begins to fill the pangs of jealousy Bao Yu experiences joy beyond all his expectations when Ping Er receives a slap from lady phone and has to adjust her hair but to resume our narrative as the performance of the record of the box would happen at which all the inmates of the household were present Bao Yu and his female cousins sat together when Lin Da Yu noticed that the act called the man offers a sacrifice had been reached this Wang Shi Peng she said to Bao Chai is very stupid it would be quite immaterial where he offered his sacrifices and why must he repair to the river side at the site of an object the proverb said one thinks of a person all waters under the heavens revert but to one source so had he bailed a bow full from any stream and given way to his lamentations while gazing on it he could very well have satisfied his feelings Bao Chai however made no reply Bao Yu then turned his head around and asked for some warm wine to drain to lady phone's health the fact is that Taoja Lady Jia had enjoined on them that this occasion was unlike others and that it was absolutely necessary for them to do the best to induce lady phone to heartily and join herself for the day she herself nevertheless failed to listless to join the banquet so simply reclining on a sofa of the inner room she looked at the place in company with Mrs. Cher and choosing several kinds of such eatables as well to her taste she placed them on a small teapoy and now helped herself to some and now talked as the fancy took her then allotting what vines were served on the two tables assigned to her to the elder and younger waiting mates for whom no covers were laid and to those female servants and other domestics who were on duty and had to answer calls she urged them not to mind but to seat themselves outside the windows of the eaves of the verandas and to eat and drink at their pleasure without any regard to conventionalities Madam Wong and Madam Sing occupied places as the high table below while around several tables outside such the posse of young ladies do let that girl phone have the seat of honor already jar shortly told Mrs. Yu and her contemporaries and mine be careful in doing the honors for me for she is subjected to endless trouble from one year's end to another further well said Mrs. Yu I fancy she went on to smile that little used as she is to feeling the place of honor she spun if she takes the high seat to be so much at a loss how to behave as to be loath even to have any wine now the lady jar was much abused by her reply well if you can't succeed she said wait and I'll come and operate to her lady phone with hasty step walked into the inner room venerable ancestor she smiled don't believe all they tell you I've already had several cups quick pour her out only the jar lovingly cried to Mrs. Yu and show her into a chair and let all of you drink she turns to her health if she then doesn't drink I'll come myself in real earnest and make her have some at these words Mrs. Yu speedily directed her out laughing a while and forced her into a seat and directing a servant to fetch a cup to fill it with wine you've got from one year's end to another she smiled the trouble and annoyance of her attentions upon our venerable senior upon Madam Wang and upon myself so as I have nothing today with which to prove my affection for you I have a sip from my hand my own dear of this cup of wine I poured for you myself if you deliberately wish to present me a glass let your phone laugh fall on your knees and I'll drink at once what's this you say you replied with a laugh and who are you I wonder but let me tell you this once for all and finish that though we've succeeded up to ever so many difficulties in getting up this entertainment today there is no saying whether we shall in the future be able to have anything more the like of this or not let's avail ourselves then of the present to put our capacity to the strain of cups Lady Feng saw very well that she could not advance any excuses and a necessity obliged her to swallow the contents of two cups in quick succession however the various young ladies also drew near her and Lady Feng was constrained again to take a sip from the cup each held but nurse La Da too fell compelled as the sight of Daoja Lady Zhao still deviant spirits to come forward and join in the merriment so putting herself at the head of a number of nurses she approached and offered wine to Lady Feng who found it once more so difficult to refuse that she had to swallow a few mouthfuls but Yuan Yang and her companions next appeared likewise on the scene to hand her the share of wine but Lady Feng felt in fact unable to comply with her wishes that she promptly appeared to them entreatingly dear sisters, she pleaded do spare me I'll drink some more tomorrow quite so we are mean not Yuan Yang laughed but now as we stand in the presence of your leadership do condescend to look upon us favorably we've always enjoyed some little consideration and do you put this of a mistress on an occasion like the present when there's such a crowd of people standing by really, I shouldn't have come but as you won't touch our wine we might as well be quick and retire while she spoke she was actually walking away when Lady Feng hastened to lay hold of her and to detain her dear sister, she cried I'll drink some and have done so saying she took the wine and filled a cup to the very brim and drained it Yuan Yang then at length gave her a smile and she and the friends dispersed subsequently the company resumed their places at the banquet but Lady Feng was conscious that the wine she had primed herself with was mounting to her head so abruptly staggering to the other end she managed to take herself home to lie down when seeing the jugglers arrive gets the tips ready she shouted to Mrs. You I'm off to wash my face a bit Mrs. You nodded her head assentingly and Lady Feng noticing that the inmates were off their guard left the banquet and went at the steps beneath the eaves towards the back entrance of the house paying her head a river being keeping her eye on her so hastily she followed in her footsteps Lady Feng at once propped herself on her arm but no sooner had they reached the covered passage then she discerned a young maid attached to her quarters standing under it the girl the moment she perceived them twisted herself around and beat a retreat Lady Feng forthwith began to give way to suspicion and she immediately shouted out to her to halt the maid pretended at first not to hear but as while following her they called out to her time after time she found herself compelled to turn around Lady Feng was seized with gritted up stand ever quickly therefore entering the covered passage with pinger she made the maid go along with them then opening a folding screen Lady Feng started herself on the steps leading to the small courtyard and made the girl fall on her knees called to boy servants from among those on duty at the second gate she cried out to pinger to bring a whip of twisted cords and to take this young wench who has no regard for her mistress and beat her to shreds the servant maid fell into a state of constellation and was scared out of her very wits sobbing the while she kept on bumping her head on the ground and soliciting for grace I'm really no ghost so you must have seen me don't you know what good manners mean and stand still Lady Feng asked why did you instead persist in running on I truly did not see your leadership coming the maid replied with tears in her eyes I was besides much concerned as there was no one in the rooms that's why I was running on if there's no one in the rooms who told you to come out again Lady Feng inquired and didn't you see me to get with pinger at your heels stretching out our necks and calling out to you about 10 times but the more we shouted the faster you ran you weren't far off from us either so is it likely that you got deaf and are you still bent upon bending words with me so speaking she raised her hand and administered her a slap on the face but while the girl staggered from the blow she gave her a second slap on the other side of the face so both cheeks of the maid quickly began to get purple and to swell pinger hastened the reason with her mistress she said, be careful you'll be hurting your hand go on pommel her urged Lady Feng and ask her what made her run and if she doesn't tell you just you take her mouth and tear it to pieces for her as the outset the girl obstinately fabricated but when she eventually heard that Lady Feng intended to take a red hot branding iron her mouth with she at last sobbingly spoke out our master sikundus Mr. Lin is at home so remarked and he sent me here to watch your movements my lady bidding me go ahead when I saw you leave the banquet and conveyed a message to him but contrary to his hopes your leadership came back they left something behind all she said what did he ask you to watch me for she therefore eagerly asked can it be pray that he dreaded to see me return home there must be some other reason so be quick and tell it to me and I shall hands forward treat you with regard if you don't minutely confess all to me I shall this very moment take a knife and pair of your flesh threatening her the while she turned her head round and extracting a hairpin from her curfewer she struck it promiscuously about the maid's mouth this so frightened the girl that as she made every effort to get out of her way she burst out into tears and entreaties I'll tell your ladyship everything she cried but you mustn't say that it was I who told you Pinger who stood by exorted her to obey but she at the same time impressed on her mind to speak out without delay Mr. Secundus himself arrived only a few minutes back the maid began the moment however he came he opened a box and taking two pieces of silver two hairpins and a couple of rows of silk he made me stealthily take them to Bauer's wife and tell her to come in as soon as she put the things away she hurried to our house and Mr. Secundus ordered me to keep an eye on your ladyship but of what happened after that I have no idea what ever when these disclosures fell on Ladyfong's ears she flew into such rage that her whole person felt quite weak and rising immediately she straightway repaired home the instant she reached the gate of the courtyard she aspired a waiting-maid peep out of the entrance seeing Ladyfong she too drew in her head and tried at once to effect her escape but Ladyfong caught her by name and made her stand still this girl had ever been very sharp so when she realized that she could not manage to beat a retreat she went so far as to run out to her I was just going to tell your ladyship she smiled and here you come what a strange coincidence tell me what Ladyfong exclaimed that Mr. Secundus is at home the girl replied and as done so and so she then recounted to her all the incidents recorded a few minutes back Chui ejaculated Ladyfong what were you up to before now that I've seen you you come and try to clear yourself as she spoke she raised her arm and administered to make a slap which upset her equilibrium so with her step she took herself away Ladyfong then threw near the window letting an ear to what was going on inside she heard someone in the room laughingly observe when that queen of hell sort of wife of yours dies it would be a good riddance when she's gone Jialin rejoined and I marry another the like of her what will I again do when she's dead and gone the woman resumed just raised Ping'er to the rank of primary wife I think she'll turn out considerably better than she has at present Jialin put in she won't even let me enjoy Ping'er's society Ping'er herself is full of this pleasure yet she dares not speak how is it that it has been my fate to bring upon myself the influence of this evil star Ladyfong overheard these criticisms and flew into a fit of anger which made her tremble violently when she however also caused the praise heaped by both of them upon Ping'er she harbored the suspicion that Ping'er too must as a matter of course have all along employed the saliva-sensible language against her and as the wine bubbled up more and more into her head she did not so much as keep the matter a second thought but twisting around she first and foremost gave Ping'er a cup of wax and with one kick she banged the door open and walked in then without allowing her any time to give any explanation in her own defense she clutched by her wife and tearing her about her with blows but the dreadless Jialin should slip out of the room induced her to pose herself in such a way as to obstruct the doorway what a fine wench she shouted out abusingly to make a paramour of your mistress husband and then you wish to compass your master's wife's death for Ping'er to transfer her quarters in here you base highlings you're all of the same stamp fairly jealous of me you try to control me by your outward display while abusing them she once more laid hold of Ping'er and beat her several times Ping'er was pummeled away till her heart thrilled with a sense of injury but she had nowhere to go and breathed her woes such resentment overpowered her feelings that she sobbed with our sign of a tear you people she raidingly shouted go and do a lot of shameful things and then you also deliberately involve me but why? so shouting she too clutched Bauer's wife and began to assail her Jialin has freely primed himself with wine so on his return home he was in such exuberance of spirits that he observed no secrecy in his doings the moment however he appeared on the scene he got to his wit's end yet when he saw Ping'er also start a rumpus the liquor he had had aroused his ire the sight of the assault committed by Liddyfong on Bauer's wife had already incensed him and put him to shame but he had not been able with any consistency to interfere but the instance he aspired Ping'er herself lay hands on her he vehemently jumped forward and gave her a cake what a vision he cried are you likewise going to start knocking people about? Ping'er was of a timid disposition at once therefore she withheld her hands and melted into tears why do you implicate me? she said in things you say behind my back when Liddyfong described in what fear and dread Ping'er was of Jialin she lost more than ever she had control over her temper and starting again in pursuit of her so struck Ping'er while urging her to go for Bauer's wife Ping'er was driven to exasperation and forthwith rushing out of the apartment so went in search of a knife to commit suicide with but the company of old matrons who stood outside hastened to place impediments in her way and to argue with her Liddyfong meanwhile realized that Ping'er had gone to take her life and Rowling had foremost into Jialin's embrace you put your heads together to do me harm, she said and when I overhear your designs you people conspire to frighten me but strangle me and have done Jialin was driven to despair to such a degree that unsheathing assault suspended on the wall that's no need for any one of you to commit suicide he screamed I too am thoroughly exasperated so I'll kill the whole lot of you and pay the penalty with my own life we'll all then be free from further trouble the bustle had just reached a climax beyond the chance of a settlement when they perceived Mrs. You and a crowd of inmates make their appearance in the room what's the matter they asked there was nothing up just now so why is all this around for edge the sight of the new arrivals Jialin, more than ever made the three parts of intoxication under which he labored an excuse to assume an air calculated to intimidate them and to pretend in order to further his own ends that he was spent upon dispatching Liddyfong but Liddyfong upon seeing her relatives appear got in the mood less perverse than the one she had been in previous to the arrival and leaving the whole company of them so scampered all in tears over to the offside into Daja Liddyja's quarters by this time, the play was over Liddyfong rushed consequently into the old lady's presence and fell into her lap the honorable ancestor help me Mr. Jialin wishes to kill me was up precipitously in quite Daja Liddyja Madame Singh and Wong and the rest I was just going to my rooms to change my dress Liddyfong wept when I unexpectedly found Mr. Jialin at home talking with someone fencing that visitors had come I was quite taken aback and not presuming to enter I remained outside the window and listened it turned out in fact to be Ba'er's wife holding council with him she said that I was dreadful and that she managed to poison me so as to get me out of the way and enable Ping'er to be promoted to be first wife as this I lost my temper but not venturing nonetheless to have a row with him I simply gave Ping'er two slabs and then I asked him why he wished to do me harm but so stricken did he get with a shame that he tried there and then to dispatch me Daja Liddyja treated every word that fell on her ear as truth dreadful she ejaculated bring her at once that low breath of sprain barely was however this exclamation out of her lips then they perceived Jialin assort in hand to the suit of his wife followed closely by a bevy of inmates Jialin evidently placed such a feral reliance upon the love which only Daja had all along lavish upon them that he entertained little regard even for his mother or his aunt so he came with perfect inventory to stir up a disturbance in their presence when Madame Sing and Wong saw him they got into a passion with all dispatch they endeavored to deter him from his purpose you mean thing they shouted abusing him your crime is more heinous for our venerable senior is in here it's all because our worthy ancestor spoils her cried Jialin with eyes arrayed that she behaved as she did and took upon herself to raid even me Madame Sing was full of resentment snatching the sword from his grasp she kept on telling him to quit the room at once but Jialin continued to prattle foolish nonsense in a driveling and modeling way his manner exasperated Daja Lady Ja I'm well aware she observed that you haven't the least consideration for any one of us tell someone to go and call his father here and we'll see whether he doesn't clear out when Jialin caught these words he eventually tottered out of the apartment but in such a state of frenzy we'll see that he did not return to his quarters but he took himself into the outer study end of section 38