曹雪芹 | 杨宪益 | 霍克斯 杨宪益 |
第十八回 隔珠帘父女勉忠勤 搦湘管姊弟裁题咏 话说宝玉来至院外,就有跟贾政的几个小厮上来拦腰抱住, 都说:"今儿亏我们,老爷才喜 欢,老太太打发人出来问了几遍,都亏我们回说喜欢,不然,若老太太叫你进去,就不得展才了. 人人都说,你才那些诗比世人的都强.今儿得了这样的彩头. 该赏我们了."宝玉笑道:"每人一 吊钱."众人道:"谁没见那一吊钱!把这荷包赏了罢." 说着,一个上来解荷包, 那一个就解扇 囊,不容分说,将宝玉所佩之物尽行解去. 又道:"好生送上去,罢."一个抱了起来,几个围绕, 送至贾母二门前. 那时贾母已命人看了几次. 众奶娘丫鬟跟上来,见过贾母,知不曾难为着他, 心中自是欢喜. 少时袭人倒了茶来,见身边佩物一件无存,因笑道:"带的东西又是那起没脸的东西们解了 去了. "林黛玉听说,走来瞧瞧,果然一件无存,因向宝玉道:"我给的那个荷包也给他们了?你 明儿再想我的东西,可不能够了!"说毕,赌气回房,将前日宝玉所烦他作的那个香袋儿----才 做了一半----赌气拿过来就铰. 宝玉见他生气,便知不妥,忙赶过来,早剪破了.宝玉已见过这 香囊,虽尚未完,却十分精巧,费了许多工夫.今见无故剪了, 却也可气.因忙把衣领解了,从里 面红袄襟上将黛玉所给的那荷包解了下来, 递与黛玉瞧道:"你瞧瞧,这是什么!我那一回把你 的东西给人了?"林黛玉见他如此珍重,带在里面,可知是怕人拿去之意,因此又自悔莽撞,未见 皂白,就剪了香袋.因此又愧又气,低头一言不发.宝玉道:"你也不用剪,我知道你是懒待给我 东西.我连这荷包奉还,何如?"说着,掷向他怀中便走.黛玉见如此,越发气起来,声咽气堵,又 汪汪的滚下泪来,拿起荷包来又剪.宝玉见他如此,忙回身抢住,笑道:"好妹妹,饶了他罢!" 黛 玉将剪子一摔,拭泪说道:"你不用同我好一阵歹一阵的,要恼,就撂开手.这当了什么."说着, 赌气上床,面向里倒下拭泪.禁不住宝玉上来"妹妹"长"妹妹"短赔不是. 前面贾母一片声宝玉.众奶娘丫鬟们忙回说:"在林姑娘房里呢."贾母听说道:" 好,好, 好!让他姊妹们一处顽顽罢.才他老子拘了他这半天,让他开心一会子罢.只别叫他们拌嘴, 不 许扭了他."众人答应着.黛玉被宝玉缠不过,只得起来道:"你的意思不叫我安生, 我就离了 你."说着往外就走.宝玉笑道:"你到那里,我跟到那里."一面仍拿起荷包来带上,黛玉伸手抢 道:"你说不要了,这会子又带上,我也替你怪臊的!"说着,"嗤"的一声又笑了.宝玉道:"好妹妹, 明儿另替我作个香袋儿罢."黛玉道:"那也只瞧我高兴罢了. "一面说,一面二人出房,到王夫 人上房中去了,可巧宝钗亦在那里. 此时王夫人那边热闹非常. 原来贾蔷已从姑苏采买了十二个女孩子----并聘了教习---- 以及行头等事来了.那时薛姨妈另迁于东北上一所幽静房舍居住,将梨香院早已腾挪出来, 另 行修理了,就令教习在此教演女戏.又另派家中旧有曾演学过歌唱的女人们----如今皆已皤然 老妪了,着他们带领管理.就令贾蔷总理其日用出入银钱等事,以及诸凡大小所需之物料账目. 又有林之孝家的来回:"采访聘买得十个小尼姑, 小道姑都有了,连新作的二十分道袍也有了. 外有一个带发修行的,本是苏州人氏,祖上也是读书仕宦之家. 因生了这位姑娘自小多病,买 了许多替身儿皆不中用,到底这位姑娘亲自入了空门, 方才好了,所以带发修行,今年才十八 岁,法名妙玉.如今父母俱已亡故, 身边只有两个老嬷嬷,一个小丫头伏侍.文墨也极通,经文 也不用学了,摸样儿又极好. 因听见`长安'都中有观音遗迹并贝叶遗文,去岁随了师父上来, 现在西门外牟尼院住着.他师父极精演先天神数,于去冬圆寂了.妙玉本欲扶灵回乡的,他师父 临寂遗言,说他`衣食起居不宜回乡.在此静居,后来自然有你的结果'.所以他竟未回乡."王夫 人不等回完,便说:"既这样,我们何不接了他来."林之孝家的回道:"请他,他说`侯门公府,必 以贵势压人,我再不去的.'"王夫人笑道:"他既是官宦小,自然骄傲些,就下个帖子请他何 妨."林之孝家的答应了出去,命书启相公写请帖去请妙玉.次日遣人备车轿去接等后话,暂且 搁过,此时不能表白. 当下又有人回,工程上等着糊东西的纱绫,请凤去开楼拣纱绫,又有人来回,请凤开库, 收金银器皿.连王夫人并上房丫鬟等众,皆一时不得闲的.宝钗便说:"咱们别在这里碍手碍脚, 探丫头去."说着,同宝玉黛玉往迎春等房中来闲顽,无话. 王夫人等日日忙乱,直到十月将尽,幸皆全备:各处监管都交清账目,各处古董文玩, 皆已 陈设齐备,采办鸟雀的,自仙鹤,孔雀以及鹿,兔,鸡,鹅等类,悉已买全,交于园中各处像景饲养; 贾蔷那边也演出二十出杂戏来, 小尼姑,道姑也都学会了念几卷经咒. 贾政方略心意宽畅,又 请贾母等进园,斟酌,点缀妥当,再无一些遗漏不当之处了. 于是贾政方择日题本.本上之 日,奉朱批准奏:次年正月十五上元之日,恩准贾妃省亲.贾府领了此恩旨,益发昼夜不闲,年也 不曾好生过的. 展眼元宵在迩，自正月初八日，就有太监出来先看方向：何处更衣，何处燕坐，何处受礼，何处开宴，何处退息。又有巡察地方总理关防太监等，带了许多小太监出来，各处关防，挡围ぜ，指示贾宅人员何处退，何处跪，何处进膳，何处启事，种种仪注不一。外面又有工部官员并五城兵备道打扫街道，撵逐闲人。贾赦等督率匠人扎花灯烟火之类，至十四日，俱已停妥。这一夜，上下通不曾睡。 至十五日五鼓，自贾母等有爵者，皆按品服大妆。园内各处，帐舞蟠龙，帘飞彩凤，金银焕彩，珠宝争辉，鼎焚百合之香，瓶插长春之蕊，静悄无人咳嗽。贾赦等在西街门外，贾母等在荣府大门外。街头巷口，俱系围ぜ挡严。正等的不耐烦，忽一太监坐大马而来，贾母忙接入，问其消息。太监道：“早多着呢！未初刻用过晚膳，未正二刻还到宝灵宫拜佛，酉初刻进大明宫领宴看灯方请旨，只怕戌初才起身呢。”凤听了道：“既这么着，老太太，太太且请回房，等是时候再来也不迟。”于是贾母等暂且自便，园中悉赖凤照理。又命执事人带领太监们去吃酒饭。 一时传人一担一担的挑进蜡烛来，各处点灯。方点完时，忽听外边马跑之声。一时，有十来个太监都喘吁吁跑来拍手儿。这些太监会意，都知道是“来了，来了”，各按方向站住。贾赦领合族子侄在西街门外，贾母领合族女眷在大门外迎接。半日静悄悄的。忽见一对红衣太监骑马缓缓的走来，至西街门下了马，将马赶出围ぜ之外，便垂手面西站住。半日又是一对，亦是如此。少时便来了十来对，方闻得隐隐细乐之声。一对对龙旌凤そ，雉羽夔头，又有销金提炉焚着御香，然后一把曲柄七凤黄金伞过来，便是冠袍带履。又有值事太监捧着香珠，绣帕，漱盂，拂尘等类。一队队过完，后面方是八个太监抬着一顶金顶金黄绣凤版舆，缓缓行来。贾母等连忙路旁跪下。早飞跑过几个太监来，扶起贾母，邢夫人，王夫人来。 那版舆抬进大门，入仪门往东去，到一所院落门前，有执拂太监跪请下舆更衣。于是抬舆入门，太监等散去，只有昭容，彩嫔等引领元春下舆。只见院内各花灯烂灼，皆系纱绫扎成，精致非常。上面有一匾灯，写着“体仁沐德” 四字。 元春入室，更衣毕复出，上舆进园。只见园中香烟缭绕，花彩缤纷，处处灯光相映，时时细乐声喧，说不尽这太平气象，富贵风流。----此时自己回想当初在大荒山中，青埂峰下，那等凄凉寂寞，若不亏癞憎，跛道二人携来到此，又安能得见这般世面。本欲作一篇《灯月赋》，《省亲颂》，以志今日之事，但又恐入了别书 按此时之景，即作一赋一赞，也不能形容得尽其妙，即不作赋赞，其豪华富丽，观者诸公亦可想而知矣。所以倒是省了这工夫纸墨，且说正经的为是。 且说贾妃在轿内看此园内外如此豪华，因默默叹息奢华过费。忽又见执拂太监跪请登舟，贾妃乃下舆。只见清流一带，势如游龙，两边石栏上，皆系水晶玻璃各风灯，点的如银花雪浪，上面柳杏诸树虽无花叶，然皆用通草绸绫纸绢依势作成，粘于枝上的，每一株悬灯数盏，更兼池中荷荇凫鹭之属，亦皆系螺蚌羽毛之类作就的。诸灯上下争辉，真系玻璃世界，珠宝乾坤。船上亦系各种精致盆景诸灯，珠帘绣ぜ，桂楫兰桡，自不必说。 已而入一石港，港上一面匾灯，明现着“蓼汀花溆”四字。按此四字并“有凤来仪”等处，皆系上回贾政偶然一试宝玉之课艺才情耳，何今日认真用此匾联？况贾政世代诗书，来往诸客屏侍座陪者，悉皆才技之流，岂无一名手题撰，竟用小儿一戏之辞苟且搪塞？真似暴发新荣之家，滥使银钱，一味抹油涂朱，毕则大书“前门绿柳垂金锁，后户青山列锦屏”之类，则以为大雅可观，岂《石头记》中通部所表之宁荣贾府所为哉！据此论之，竟大相矛盾了。诸公不知，待蠢物将原委说明，大家方知。 当日这贾妃未入宫时，自幼亦系贾母教养。后来添了宝玉，贾妃乃长姊，宝玉为弱弟，贾妃之心上念母年将迈，始得此弟，是以怜爱宝玉，与诸弟待之不同。且同随祖母，刻未暂离。那宝玉未入学堂之先，三四岁时，已得贾妃手引口传，教授了几本书，数千字在腹内了。其名分虽系姊弟，其情状有如母子。自入宫后，时时带信出来与父母说：“千万好生扶养，不严不能成器，过严恐生不虞，且致父母之忧。”眷念切爱之心，刻未能忘。前日贾政闻塾师背后赞宝玉偏才尽有，贾政未信，适巧遇园已落成，令其题撰，聊一试其情思之清浊。其所拟之匾联虽非妙句，在幼童为之，亦或可取。即另使名公大笔为之，固不费难，然想来倒不如这本家风味有趣。更使贾妃见之，知系其爱弟所为，亦或不负其素日切望之意。因有这段原委，故此竟用了宝玉所题之联额。那日虽未曾题完，后来亦曾补拟。 闲文少述，且说风与墙贾妃看了四字，笑道：“‘花溆’二字便妥，何必，‘蓼汀’？”侍座太监听了，忙下小舟登岸，飞传与贾政。贾政听了，即忙移换。一时，舟临内岸，复弃舟上舆，便见琳宫绰约，桂殿巍峨。石牌坊上明显“天仙宝境”四字，贾妃忙命换“省亲别墅”四字。于是进入行宫。但见庭燎烧空，香屑布地，火树琪花，金窗玉槛。说不尽帘卷虾须，毯铺鱼獭，鼎飘麝脑之香，屏列雉尾之扇。真是： 金门玉户神仙府，桂殿兰宫妃子家。 贾妃乃问：“此殿何无匾额？”随侍太监跪启曰：“此系正殿，外臣未敢擅拟。”贾妃点头不语。礼仪太监跪请升座受礼，两陛乐起。礼仪太监二人引贾赦，贾政等于月台下排班，殿上昭容传谕曰：“免。”太监引贾赦等退出。又有太监引荣国太君及女眷等自东阶升月台上排班，昭容再谕曰：“免。”于是引退。 茶已三献，贾妃降座，乐止。退入侧殿更衣，方备省亲车驾出园。至贾母正室，欲行家礼，贾母等俱跪止不迭。贾妃满眼垂泪，方彼此上前厮见，一手搀贾母，一手搀王夫人，三个人满心里皆有许多话，只是俱说不出，只管呜咽对泣。邢夫人，李纨，王熙凤，迎，探，惜三姊妹等，俱在旁围绕，垂泪无言。 半日，贾妃方忍悲强笑，安慰贾母，王夫人道：“当日既送我到那不得见人的去处，好容易今日回家娘儿们一会，不说说笑笑，反倒哭起来。一会子我去了，又不知多早晚才来！”说到这句，不禁又哽咽起来。邢夫人等忙上来解劝。贾母等让贾妃归座，又逐次一一见过，又不免哭泣一番。然后东西两府掌家执事人丁在厅外行礼，及两府掌家执事媳妇领丫鬟等行礼毕。贾妃因问：“薛姨妈，宝钗，黛玉因何不见？”王夫人启曰：“外眷无职，未敢擅入。”贾妃听了，忙命快请。一时，薛姨妈等进来，欲行国礼，亦命免过，上前各叙阔别寒温。又有贾妃原带进宫去的丫鬟抱琴等上来叩见，贾母等连忙扶起，命人别室款待。执事太监及彩嫔，昭容各侍从人等，宁国府及贾赦那宅两处自有人款待，只留三四个小太监答应。母女姊妹深叙些离别情景，及家务私情。 又有贾政至帘外问安,贾妃垂帘行参等事.又隔帘含泪谓其父曰: "田舍之家,虽齑盐 布帛,终能聚天伦之乐,今虽富贵已极,骨肉各方,然终无意趣!"贾政亦含泪启道:"臣,草莽寒 门,鸠鸦属之中,岂意得征凤鸾之瑞.今贵人上锡天恩, 下昭祖德,此皆山川日月之精奇,祖 宗之远德钟于一人,幸及政夫妇.且今上启天地生物之大德, 垂古今未有之旷恩,虽肝脑涂地, 臣子岂能得报于万一!惟朝乾夕惕,忠于厥职外,愿我君万寿千秋,乃天下苍生之同幸也.贵妃 切勿以政夫妇残年为念,懑愤金怀,更祈自加珍爱.惟业业兢兢,勤慎恭肃以侍上,庶不负上体 贴眷爱如此之隆恩也. " 贾妃亦嘱"只以国事为重,暇时保养,切勿记念"等语.贾政又启:"园中 所有亭台轩馆,皆系宝玉所题,如果有一二稍可寓目者,请别赐名为幸."元妃听了宝玉能题,便 含笑说: "果进益了." 贾政退出.贾妃见宝,林二人亦发比别姊妹不同,真是姣花软玉一般. 因 问:"宝玉为何不进见?"贾母乃启:"无谕,外男不敢擅入."元妃命快引进来.小太监出去引宝玉 进来,先行国礼毕,元妃命他进前,携手拦于怀内,又抚其头颈笑道:"比先竟长了好些......" 一语未终,泪如雨下. 尤氏,凤等上来启道:"筵宴齐备,请贵妃游幸."元妃等起身,命宝玉导引,遂同诸人步至 园门前, 早见灯光火树之中,诸般罗列非常.进园来先从"有凤来仪","红香绿玉" ,"杏帘在望 , 妃极加奖赞,又劝:"以后不可太奢,此皆过分之极."已而至正殿,谕免礼归座,大开筵宴.贾母 等在下相陪,尤氏,李纨,凤等亲捧羹把盏. 元妃乃命传笔砚伺候,亲搦湘管,择其几处最喜者赐名.按其书云: 顾恩思义 天地启宏慈,赤子苍头同感戴, 古今垂旷典,九州万国被恩荣. 此一匾一联书于正殿 “大观园”园之名 “有凤来仪”赐名曰“潇湘馆” “红香绿玉”改作“怡红快绿”即名曰“怡红院” “蘅芷清芬”赐名曰“蘅芜苑” “杏帘在望”赐名曰“浣葛山庄” 正楼曰“大观楼”。东面飞楼曰“缀锦阁”，西面斜楼曰“含芳阁”，更有“蓼风轩”，“藕香榭”，“紫菱洲”，“荇叶渚”等名，又有四字的匾额十数个, 诸如"梨花 春雨","桐剪秋风","荻芦夜雪"等名,此时悉难全记.又命旧有匾联俱不必摘去.于是先题一绝 云: 衔山抱水建来精,多少工夫筑始成. 天上人间诸景备,芳园应锡大观名. 写毕,向诸姊妹笑道:"我素乏捷才,且不长于吟咏, 妹辈素所深知.今夜聊以塞责,不负斯景而已.异日少暇,必补撰<<大观园记>>并< <省亲颂>>等文,以记今日之事.妹辈亦各题一匾一诗,随才之长短,亦暂吟成,不可因我微才所缚.且喜宝玉竟知题咏,是我意外之想.此中`潇湘馆',蘅芜苑'二处,我所极爱, 次之`怡红院',`浣葛山庄',此四大处,必得别有章句题咏方妙.前所题之联虽佳, 如今再各赋五言律一首,使我当面试过, 方不负我自幼教授之苦心."宝玉只得答应了,下来自去构思. 迎, 探,惜三人之中,要算探春又出于姊妹之上,然自忖亦难与薛林争衡,只得勉强随众塞 责而已.李纨也勉强凑成一律.贾妃先挨次看姊妹们的,写道是: 旷性怡情匾额迎春 园成景备特精奇,奉命羞题额旷怡. 谁信世间有此境,游来宁不畅神思? 万象争辉匾额探春 名园筑出势巍巍,奉命何惭学浅微. 精妙一时言不出,果然万物生光辉 . 文章造化匾额惜春 山水横拖千里外,楼台高起五云中. 园修日月光辉里,景夺文章造化功. 文采风流匾额李纨 秀水明山抱复回,风流文采胜蓬莱. 绿裁歌扇迷芳草,红衬湘裙舞落梅. 珠玉自应传盛世,神仙何幸下瑶台. 名园一自邀游赏,未许凡人到此来. 凝晖钟瑞匾额薛宝钗 芳园筑向帝城西,华日祥云笼罩奇. 高柳喜迁莺出谷,修篁时待凤来仪. 文风已著宸游夕,孝化应隆归省时. 睿藻仙才盈彩笔,自惭何敢再为辞. 世外仙源匾额林黛玉 名园筑何处,仙境别红尘. 借得山川秀,添来景物新. 香融金谷酒,花媚玉堂人. 何幸邀恩宠,宫车过往频.湛江师范学院图书馆 贾妃看毕,称赏一番,又笑道:"终是薛林二妹之作与众不同, 非 愚姊妹可同列者."原来林黛玉安心今夜大展奇才,将众人压倒,不想贾妃只命一匾一咏,倒不 好违谕多作,只胡乱作一首五言律应景罢了 . 彼时宝玉尚未作完, 只刚作了"潇湘馆"与"蘅芜苑"二首,正作"怡红院"一首,起草内有" 绿玉春犹卷"一句.宝钗转眼瞥见,便趁众人不理论,急忙回身悄推他道:"他因不喜` 红香绿玉 '四字,改了`怡红快绿',你这会子偏用`绿玉'二字,岂不是有意和他争驰了?况且蕉叶之说也 颇多,再想一个字改了罢."宝玉见宝钗如此说,便拭汗道:" 我这会子总想不起什么典故出处 陈子昂初入京来."宝钗笑道:"你只把`绿玉'的`玉'字改作`蜡'字就是了. "宝玉道:"`绿蜡'可有出处?"宝 钗见问,悄悄的咂嘴点头笑道:"亏你今夜不过如此, 将来金殿对策,你大约连`赵钱孙李'都忘 了呢!唐钱ぞ咏芭蕉诗头一句:`冷烛无烟绿蜡乾',你都忘了不成?" 宝玉听了,不觉洞开心臆,笑道:"该死,该死!现成眼前之物偏倒想不起来了,真可谓`一字师'了.从此后我只叫你师父,再不叫了."宝钗亦悄悄的笑道:"还不快作上去,只管妹妹的.谁是你?那上头穿黄袍的才是你, 你又认我这来了."一面说笑,因说笑又怕他耽延工夫,遂抽身走开了.宝玉只得续成,共有了三首. 此时林黛玉未得展其抱负,自是不快.因见宝玉独作四律,大费神思,何不代他作两首,也 省他些精神不到之处.想着,便也走至宝玉案旁,悄问:"可都有了?"宝玉道:"才有了三首, 只 少`杏帘在望'一首了."黛玉道:"既如此,你只抄录前三首罢.赶你写完那三首, 我也替你作出 这首了."说毕,低头一想,早已吟成一律,便写在纸条上,搓成个团子,掷在他跟前.宝玉打开一 看,只觉此首比自己所作的三首高过十倍,真是喜出望外,遂忙恭楷呈上. 贾妃看道: 有凤来仪臣宝玉谨题 秀玉初成实,堪宜待凤凰. 竿竿青欲滴,个个绿生凉. 迸砌妨阶水,穿帘碍鼎香. 莫摇清碎影,好梦昼初长. 蘅芷清芬 蘅芜满净苑,萝薜助芬芳. 软衬三春草,柔拖一缕香. 轻烟迷曲径,冷翠滴回廊. 谁谓池塘曲,谢家幽梦长. 怡红快绿 深庭长日静,两两出婵娟. 绿蜡春犹卷,红妆夜未眠. 凭栏垂绛袖,倚石护青烟. 对立东风里,主人应解怜. 杏帘在望 杏帘招客饮,在望有山庄. 菱荇鹅儿水,桑榆燕子梁. 一畦春韭绿,十里稻花香. 盛世无饥馁,何须耕织忙. 贾妃看毕,喜之不尽,说:"果然进益了!"又指"杏帘"一首为前三 首之冠,遂将"浣葛山庄"改为"稻香村".又命探春另以彩笺誊录出方才一共十数首诗, 出令太 监传与外厢.贾政等看了,都称颂不已.贾政又进<<归省颂>>.元春又命以琼酥金脍等物,赐与 宝玉并贾兰.此时贾兰极幼,未达诸事,只不过随母依叔行礼,故无别传.贾环从年内染病未痊, 自有闲处调养,故亦无传. 那时贾蔷带领十二个女戏,在楼下正等的不耐烦,只见一太监飞来说:"作完了诗, 快拿戏 目来!"贾蔷急将锦册呈上,并十二个花名单子.少时,太监出来,只点了四出戏: 第一出,<<豪宴>>,第二出,<<乞巧>>,第三出, <<仙缘>>,第四出,<<离魂>>. 贾蔷忙张罗扮演起来.一个个歌欺裂石之音, 舞有天魔之态.虽是妆演的形容,却作尽悲欢情状.刚演完了,一太监执一金盘糕点之属进来,问:"谁是龄官?"贾蔷便知是赐龄官之物,喜的忙接了,命龄官叩头.太监又道:"贵妃有谕,说`龄官极好,再作两出戏,不拘那两出就是了'."贾蔷忙答应了,因命龄官作<<游园>>,<<惊梦>>二出. 龄官自为此二出原非本角之戏,执意不作,定要作< <相约>><<相骂>>二出.贾蔷扭他不过,只 得依他作了.贾妃甚喜,命"不可难为了这女孩子, 好生教习",额外赏了两匹宫缎,两个荷包并 金银锞子,食物之类.然后撤筵,将未到之处复又游顽. 忽见山环佛寺,忙另プ手进去焚香拜佛, 又题一匾云:"苦海慈航".又额外加恩与一般幽尼女道. 少时, 太监跪启:"赐物俱齐,请验等例."乃呈上略节.贾妃从头看了,俱甚妥协,即命照此 遵行. 太监听了,下来一一发放.原来贾母的是金,玉如意各一柄,沉香拐拄一根,伽楠念珠一 串,"富贵长春"宫缎四匹,"福寿绵长"宫绸四匹,紫金"笔锭如意"锞十锭,"吉庆有鱼"银锞十锭.邢夫人,王夫人二分,只减了如意,拐,珠四样.贾敬,贾赦,贾政等,每分御制新书二部,宝墨二 匣,金,银爵各二只,表礼按前. 宝钗,黛玉诸姊妹等, 每人新书一部,宝砚一方,新样格式金银锞二对.宝玉亦同此.贾兰则是金银项圈二个,金银锞二对.尤氏,李纨,凤等,皆金银锞四锭,表礼四端.外表礼二十四端,清钱一百串,是赐与贾母,王夫人及诸姊妹房中奶娘众丫鬟的. 贾珍,贾琏,贾环,贾蓉等,皆是表礼一分,金锞一双.其余彩缎百端,金银千两,御酒华筵,是赐东西两府凡园中管理工程,陈设,答应及司戏,掌灯诸人的.外有清钱五百串,是赐厨役,优怜,百戏,杂行人丁的. 众人谢恩已毕, 执事太监启道:"时已丑正三刻,请驾回銮."贾妃听了,不由的满眼又滚下 泪来. 却又勉强堆笑,拉住贾母,王夫人的手,紧紧的不忍释放,再四叮咛:"不须挂念,好生自 养.如今天恩浩荡,一月许进内省视一次,见面是尽有的,何必伤惨.倘明岁天恩仍许归省,万不 可如此奢华靡费了!"贾母等已哭的哽噎难言了.贾妃虽不忍别, 怎奈皇家规范,违错不得,只 得忍心上舆去了.这里诸人好容易将贾母,王夫人安慰解劝,方才扶出园门进上房去了.要知端 的,且看下回. | Chapter18 Yuanchun Visits Her Parents on the Feast of Lanterns Daiyu Helps Her True Love by Passing Him a Poem As soon as Baoyu was out of the courtyard, the pages who attended Jia Zheng stepped forward to throw their arms around his waist.They said, “It’s lucky for you that the master was in such a good mood today. The old lady sent several times to ask how things were, and you should thank us for telling her he looked pleased. Otherwise she’d have sent for you and you wouldn’t have had this chance to shine. Everybody said your poems were the best. “Today’s your lucky day, so give us a tip.” “You shall each have a string of cash,” he promised them. “Who hasn’t seen a string of cash?” cried one. “Give me your pouch.” Swarming round without so much as a “by your leave,” they stripped him of his scented pouch, fan-sheath and other pendants.“Now let’s see him back!” they cried. With one of them carrying him, the others in a troop escorted him along to the outer courtyard of the Lady Dowager’s apartments. Since she had sent several times to see how her grandson was faring, she was naturally pleased when her nannies and maids brought him in, none the worse for his experience. When presently Xiren handed him tea she noticed that not one of his pendants was left. “So those shameless wretches have taken all your things again,” she remarked with a smile.Daiyu came over to see if this was true. Sure enough, all his trinkets had gone.“So you’ve given them that pouch I made you too!” she remarked. “All right, that’s the last thing you’ll ever get from me.”Going crossly back to her own room, she took her scissors and started cutting up the sachet she had been making for him at Baoyu’s own request. Baoyu, seeing that she was angry, knew that something was up and hurried after her. Too late. Although the sachet had not been finished, the embroidery on it was very fine and she had put a lot of work into it, so he was annoyed to see it spoilt for no reason. Quickly undoing his collar, he pulled out the pouch he was wearing over his red tunic.“Look, what’s this?” he asked, showing it to her. “When have I ever given anything of yours to someone else?” Realizing that he treasured her gift so much that he had kept it safely hidden away, Daiyu repented of her hastiness and hung her head in silence.“You didn’t have to cut it up,” went on Baoyu reproachfully. “I know you don’t like giving me anything, so I’ll let you have this one back too, how about that?” Tossing it into her lap, he turned to go.Choking with anger Daiyu burst into tears. She picked up the pouch meaning to cut it to pieces as well. But he rushed back to stop her, begging, “Dear cousin, spare it!” She threw down the scissors to brush away her tears.“You don’t have to treat me like that, kind one moment and cruel the next. If it’s a quarrel you want, we’d better have nothing more to do with each other. Why carry on like this?”She flung herself tearfully down on her bed with her face towards the wall, wiping her streaming eyes. In desperation, Baoyu leant over her begging, “Dear cousin, dear kind cousin, do forgive me!” Meanwhile the Lady Dowager had been asking where Baoyu was. Hearing that he was with Daiyu she said, “That’s good. Let them amuse themselves together for a while. He deserves a little relaxation after being kept so long under check by his father. Just see that they don’t quarrel. You mustn’t upset him.” And to this the servants agreed.Unable to shake Baoyu off, Daiyu got up. “Since you won’t give me any peace, I’m going to leave you,” she declared. As she started out he said with a smile, “Wherever you go, I’ll go with you.” He was fastening on the pouch again as he spoke. Daiyu snatched at it, scolding, “First you say you don’t want it, and now you’re putting it on again. I really blush for you.” She started to giggle.“Dear cousin, do make me another sachet tomorrow.”“We’ll have to see how I feel.”They went together then to Lady Wang’s quarters where they happened to find Baochai. Everyone was in a state of great excitement, as the twelve young actresses bought by Jia Qiang in Suzhou had just arrived, together with the instructors he had hired and the costumes for the operas they would perform. Aunt Xue had moved to quiet, secluded quarters in the northeast part of the grounds, and Pear Fragrance Court had been made ready for the rehearsals. Some family maids who had once trained as opera-singers themselves but were now hoary dames were sent to look after the little actresses, while Jia Qiang was put in charge of their daily expenses and the provision of everything they required. Just at this time, Lin Zhixiao’s wife came to report, “The twenty-four little nuns — twelve Buddhist and twelve Taoist — whom I selected and purchased have now arrived, and their twenty-four new habits are ready. There’s another girl, too, who had entered holy orders without shaving her head. She comes from a Suzhou family of scholars and officials. She was delicate as a child, and although they bought many substitute novices for her it was no use — her health didn’t improve until she joined the Buddhist order herself. That’s how she became a lay sister. She’s eighteen this year and her name in religion is Miaoyu. Her parents are dead now and she only has two old nurses and one maid to look after her. She’s widely read and well-versed in the sutras, besides being very good-looking. She came to the capital last year, having heard there were relics of Guanyin here and canons inscribed on pattra leaves. She’s been living in the Sakyamuni Convent outside the West Gate. Her tutor was an excellent diviner, but she passed away last winter. Miaoyu had meant to escort the coffin back to her native place; but as her tutor lay dying she told the girl not to go back home but to wait quietly where she was for something fortune had in store for her. So she didn’t accompany the coffin back.” “In that case, why not ask her here?” put in Lady Wang. “She’d refuse,” objected Lin Zhixiao’s wife. “She’d be afraid of being looked down on in a noble household.” “A young lady from an official family is bound to be rather proud,” agreed Lady Wang. “Why not send her a written invitation?” Lin Zhixiao’s wife agreed and left. One of the secretaries was instructed to make out an invitation, and the following day servants were sent with a carriage and sedan-chair to fetch Miaoyu. As to what followed, we can leave that till later. A servant came just then to request Xifeng to open the storeroom and issue the gauze and silk needed by the workmen for screens. Another asked her to store away the gold and silver utensils. Meanwhile Lady Wang and her maids were busy too. So Baochai suggested, “Let’s not stay here where we’re only in the way. Let’s go and find Tanchun.” She took Baoyu and Daiyu to the rooms of Yingchun and others to while away the time. For Lady Wang and her helpers the days passed in a flurry of preparations until, towards the end of the tenth month, all was ready. The stewards had handed in their accounts; antiques and precious objects had been set out; the pleasure grounds were well-stocked with cranes, peacocks, deer, rabbits, chicken and geese to be reared in appropriate places; Jia Qiang had twenty operas ready; and the little Buddhist and Taoist nuns had memorized various sutras and incantations. Then Jia Zheng, able at last to breathe more freely, invited the Lady Dowager to make a final inspection of the Garden and see that all was in order with nothing overlooked. This done, he chose an auspicious date and wrote a memorial, and the very same day that it was presented the Son of Heaven acceded to his request. The Imperial Consort would be permitted to visit her parents for the Feast of Lanterns on the fifteenth of the first month the following year. This threw the whole household into such a commotion that, hard at work day and night, they scarcely had time to celebrate the New Year. In a twinkling the Feast of Lanterns would arrive. On the eighth of the first month eunuchs came from the Palace to inspect the general layout of the Garden and the apartment where the Imperial consort would change her clothes, sit with her family, receive their homage, feast them and retire to rest. The eunuch in charge of security also posted many younger eunuchs as guards by the screened and curtained entrances to the retiring rooms. Detailed instructions were given to all members of the household as to where they should withdraw, where they should kneel, serve food or make announcements — all the exact etiquette to be observed. Outside, officers from the Board of Works and the Chief of the Metropolitan Police had the streets swept and cleared of loiterers. Jia She superintended the craftsmen making ornamental lanterns and fireworks, and by the fourteenth everything was ready. But no one, high or low, slept a wink that night. Before dawn the next day all those with official ranks from the Lady Dowager downwards put on full ceremonial dress. Everywhere in the Garden were hangings and screens brilliantly embroidered with dancing dragons and flying phoenixes; gold and silver glittered, pearls and precious stones shimmered; richly blended incense burnt in the bronze tripods, and fresh flowers filled the vases. Not a cough broke the solemn silence. Jia She and the other men waited outside in the west street entrance, the Lady Dowager and the women outside the main gate, the ends of the street and the alleys leading to it all having been screened off. They were growing tired of waiting when a eunuch rode up on a big horse. The Lady Dowager welcomed him in and asked for news.“It will be a long time yet,” the eunuch told her. “Her Highness is to dine at one, pray to Buddha in the Palace of the Precious Spirit at half past two, and at five go to feast in the Palace of Great Splendour and look at the display of lanterns before asking leave from the Emperor. She can hardly set out until seven.” This being the case, Xifeng suggested that the Lady Dowager and Lady Wang should go inside to rest and come back later. So the Lady Dowager and others retired, leaving Xifeng in charge. She ordered the stewards to conduct the eunuchs to where refreshments were waiting. Then she had loads of candles carried in for all the lanterns. It was not until the candles had been lit that a clatter of hooves was heard in the street. The next moment up panted ten or more eunuchs, clapping their hands as they ran. At this signal the other eunuchs said, “Her Highness is coming!” They all rushed to their posts. For a long time they waited in silence, Jia She and the young men of the family by the entrance of the west street, the Lady Dowager and the women in front of the main gate. Then two eunuchs wearing scarlet uniforms rode slowly up to the entrance of the west street. Dismounting, they led their horses behind the screens, then stood to attention, their faces turned towards the west. After some time another pair appeared, then another, until there were ten pairs lined up and soft music could be heard in the distance. And now a long procession approached: several pairs of eunuchs carrying dragon banners, others with phoenix fans, pheasant plumes and ceremonial insignia, as well as gold censers burning Imperial incense. Next came a curved-handled yellow umbrella on which were embroidered seven phoenixes, and under this a head-dress, robe, girdle and slippers. After this came attendant eunuchs bearing a rosary, embroidered handkerchiefs, a rinse-bowl, fly-whisks and the like. Last of all, borne slowly forward by eight eunuchs, came a gold-topped palanquin embroidered with phoenixes. All present, including the Lady Dowager, hastily fell to their knees by the side of the road. Eunuchs rushed over to help up the old lady as well as Lady Xing and Lady Wang. The palanquin was carried through the main gate to the entrance of the courtyard on the east, where a eunuch holding a whisk knelt down and invited the Imperial Consort to dismount and change her clothes. Then the palanquin was borne inside and the eunuchs withdrew, leaving Yuanchun’s ladies-in-waiting to help her alight. She observed that the courtyard was brightly lit with ornamental lanterns of every kind, all exquisitely made of finest gauze. The highest, a rectangular lantern, bore the inscription: Fraught with Favour, Basking in Kindness. Yuanchun entered the robing room and changed, then remounted her palanquin which was carried into the Garden. She found it wreathed with the perfumed smoke of incense, splendid with flowers, brilliant with countless lanterns, melodious with strains of soft music. Words fail to describe that scene of peaceful magnificence and noble refinement. -----Here, Readers, recalling the scene of desolation at the foot of Blue Ridge Peak in the Great Waste Mountain, I cannot but thank the scabby Buddhist and lame Taoist for bringing me to this place. For how otherwise could I have seen such a sight? I was tempted to write a lantern-poem or a eulogy on family reunion to pay tribute to it, but feared slipping into the vulgar vein of other books. Besides, even writing an ode or eulogy could not do justice to the scene’s enchantment. If, on the other hand, I omit to write one my worthy readers can imagine its magnificence for themselves. So I had better save both time and paper and return from this digression to our story. Now, as she gazed from her palanquin at the dazzling display both within and without the Garden, the Imperial Consort sighed softly: “This is too extravagant!” Then a eunuch with a whisk knelt down by the palanquin and invited her to proceed by boat. As she alighted she saw before her a clear waterway winding like a dragon. From the marble balustrades on either bank lanterns of crystal and glass of every description shed a silvery light, clear as snow. The wintry boughs of the willows and apricot trees above them were festooned with artificial flowers and leaves made of rice-paper and silk, and from every tree hung lanterns. Lovely too on the water were the lotus flowers, duckweed and water-fowl made out of shells and feathers. Lanterns high and low seemed trying to outshine each other. It was truly a world of crystal and precious stones! The boats were magnificent too, with lanterns, rare miniature gardens, pearl portieres, embroidered curtains, rudders of cassia and oars of aromatic wood, which we need not describe in detail. By now they had reached a marble landing-stage. The lantern-sign above it bore the words, “Smartweed Bank and Flowery Harbour.” Regarding this name, Reader, and others such as “Where the Phoenix Alights” from the last chapter in which Jia Zheng tested Baoyu’s literary talent, you may wonder to find them actually used as inscriptions. For the Jias, after all, were a scholarly family all of whose friends and protégés were men of parts. Moreover they could easily find well-known writers to compose inscriptions. Why then make shift with phrases tossed off by a boy? Were they like newly rich upstarts who throw money about like dirt and, having painted their mansion crimson, put up huge inscriptions such as “Green willows with golden locks before the gate, Blue hills like embroidered screens behind the house,” fancying these the height of elegance? Could that be the way of the Jia family described in this Tale of the Stone? This is surely a contradiction? Let me, stupid as I am, explain this to you. The Imperial Consort, before she entered the Palace, had been brought up from childhood by the Lady Dowager. And after Baoyu was born, as Yuanchun was his elder sister and Baoyu her younger brother, bearing in mind that their mother had given birth to him late in life, she loved him more than her other brothers and lavished all her care on him. They both stayed with their grandmother and were inseparable. Even before Baoyu started school, when he was hardly four years old, she taught him to recite several texts and to recognize several thousand characters. she was more like a mother to him than an elder sister. After she entered the Palace she often wrote letters home reminding her parents to educate him well, for unless strictly disciplined he would not amount to much, but if treated too sternly he might also give them cause for anxiety. Her loving concern for him had never ceased. Jia Zheng, earlier on, had scarcely believed the tutor’s report that Baoyu had a flair for literary composition. As the Garden happened then to be ready for inspection, he had called on his son for inscriptions in order to test him. And although Baoyu’s childish efforts were far from inspired, at least they were passable. The family could easily enough have enlisted the help of famous scholars; but it seemed to them that a special interest attached to names chosen by a member of the house. Besides, when the Imperial Consort learned that these were the work of her beloved younger brother, she would feel that he had not fallen short of her hopes. For these reasons Baoyu’s inscriptions were adopted. Not all had been chosen that day; some he supplied later. But enough of this. When the Imperial Consort saw this name, she commented with a smile: “Just ‘Flowery Harbour’ would do. Why ‘Smart-weed Bank’ too?” As soon as the eunuch in attendance heard this, he hastily disembarked and went ashore to report to Jia Zheng, who immediately had the alteration made. Meanwhile the boat had reached the further shore and again Yuanchun mounted her palanquin. Before her now there towered the beautiful hall of an imposing palace. The marble archway in front of it bore the inscription: “Precious Realm for the Immortal.” At once she ordered this to be changed to “House of Reunion.” As she entered this temporary palace, she saw torches in the courtyard flaring to the sky, powdered incense strewing the ground, flaming trees, jasper flowers, gilded windows and jade balustrades, to say nothing of screens as fine as the shrimp’s antennae, carpets of otter-skin, musk burning in tripods, and fans made from pheasant plumage. Truly this was: An abode with golden gates and jade doors fit for immortals, Its cassia and orchid chambers a worthy setting for the Imperial Consort. After glancing around she asked, “Why has this place no name?” The eunuch attendant fell on his knees. “Because this is the main palace,” he replied, “no subject outside the Court dared suggest a name.” The Imperial Consort nodded and said nothing. Another eunuch, the Master of Ceremonies, knelt and begged her to sit in a chair of state to receive the obeisances of her family. On both sides of the steps music was played as two eunuchs ushered in Jia She and the men of the family to range themselves below the dais; but when a lady-in-waiting relayed the Imperial Consort’s command to dispense with this ceremony they withdrew. Then the Lady Dowager of the Rong Mansion and the female relatives were led up the east flight of steps to the dais, but they too were exempted from the ceremony and shown out. After tea had been served three times, Yuanchun descended from the throne and the music ceased while she went into a side chamber to change her clothes. Meanwhile a carriage had been prepared to drive her out of the Garden to visit her parents. First she went to the Lady Dowager’s reception room to pay her respects as a grand-daughter of the house; but before she could do so her grandmother and the others knelt to prevent her. The Imperial Consort’s eyes were full of tears as her family drew near to greet her. As she clasped the hands of her grandmother and mother, the hearts of all three were too full to speak — they could do nothing but sob. Lady Xing, Li Wan, Xifeng, Yuanchun’s half sister Tanchun and her cousins Yingchun and Xichun also stood beside them weeping silently. But at last the Imperial Consort mastered her grief and forced a smile as she tried to comfort them. “Since you sent me away to that forbidden place, it hasn’t been easy getting this chance today to come home and see you all again,” she said. “But instead of chatting and laughing, here we are crying! Soon I shall have to leave you, and there is no knowing when I can come back again.” At this she broke down afresh. Lady Xing and the others did their best to console her and the Lady Dowager asked her to take a seat, after which she exchanged courtesies with each in turn and more tears were shed. Next the stewards and attendants of both mansions paid their respects outside the door, and so did their wives and the maids. This ceremony at an end, Yuanchun asked why Aunt Xue, Baochai and Daiyu were missing. Lady Wang explained that they were afraid to presume, not being members of the Jia family and having no official status. The Imperial Consort asked them to be invited in at once, and they were about to pay homage according to Palace etiquette when she exempted them too and chatted with them. Next Baoqin and the other maids whom Yuanchun had taken with her to the Palace kowtowed to the Lady Dowager, who hastily stopped them and sent them off to have some refreshments in another room. The senior eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting were also entertained by members of the staff of both mansions, leaving only three or four young eunuchs in attendance. When the ladies of the family had spoken with feeling about their separation and all that had happened since, Jia Zheng from outside the door-curtain asked after the health of his daughter, and she in turn paid her respects. With tears she told him, “Simple farmers who live on pickles and dress in homespun at least know the joys of family life together. What pleasure can I take in high rank and luxury when we are separated like this?” ith tears too he replied, “Your subject, poor and obscure, little dreamed that our flock of common pigeons and crows would ever be blessed with a phoenix. Thanks to the Imperial favour and the virtue of our ancestors, your Noble Highness embodies the finest essences of nature and the accumulated merit of our forbears — such fortune has attended my wife and myself. “His Majesty, who manifests the great virtue of all creation, has shown us such extraordinary and hitherto unknown favour that even if we dashed out our brains we could not repay one-thousandth part of our debt of gratitude. All I can do is to exert myself day and night, loyally carry out my official duties, and pray that our sovereign may live ten thousand years as desired by all under heaven. “Your Noble Highness must not grieve your precious heart in concern for your ageing parents. We beg you to take better care of your own health. Be cautious, circumspect, diligent and respectful. Honour the Emperor and serve him well, so as to prove yourself not ungrateful for His Majesty’s bountiful goodness and great kindness.” Then it was Yuanchun’s turn to urge her father to devote himself to affairs of state, look after his health and dismiss all anxiety regarding her. After this Jia Zheng informed her, “All the inscriptions on the pavilions and lodges in the Garden were composed by Baoyu. If you find one or two of the buildings not too tame, please condescend to re-name them yourself, that would make us extremely happy.” The news that Baoyu was already able to compose inscriptions made her exclaim with delight, “So he’s making progress!” When Jia Zheng had withdrawn, the Imperial Consort observed that Baochai and Daiyu stood out from their girl cousins, being truly fairer than flowers or finest jade. Then she inquired why Baoyu had not come to greet her. The Lady Dowager explained that, unless specially summoned, as a young man without official rank he dared not presume. At once the Imperial Consort sent for him and a young eunuch ushered him in to pay homage according to Palace etiquette. His sister called him to her and took his hand. Drawing him close to her bosom, she stroked his neck and commented with a smile, “How you have grown!” But even as she spoke her tears fell like rain. Madam You and Xifeng stepped forward then to announce, “The banquet is ready. We beg Your Highness to favour us with your presence.” Then she rose and told Baoyu to lead the way. Accompanied by all the rest she walked into the Garden, where the magnificent sights were lit up by lanterns. Past “Where the Phoenix Alights,” “Crimson Fragrance and Green Jade,” “Approach to Apricot Tavern” and “Pure Scent of Alpinia and Iris” they strolled, mounting pavilions, crossing streams, climbing miniature hills and enjoying the view from various different points. All the buildings were distinctively furnished, and each corner had such fresh, unusual features that Yuanchun was lavish with her praise and approval. But she cautioned them: “You mustn’t be so extravagant in future. This is far too much!” When they reached the main reception palace she desired them to dispense with ceremony and take their seats. It was a sumptuous banquet. The Lady Dowager and the rest sat at tables on either side, while Madam You, Li Wan and Xifeng passed round dishes and poured the wine. Meanwhile Yuanchun asked for writing-brush and inkstone and with her own hand wrote names for the spots she liked best. For the main reception palace she wrote the inscription: Recalling Imperial Favour, Mindful of Duty. And the couplet: Compassion vast as the universe extends to old and young, Grace unknown before honours every state and land. The pleasure grounds were named the Grand View Garden. “Where the Phoenix Alights” was renamed “Bamboo Lodge,” “Crimson Fragrance and Green Jade” was changed to “Happy Red and Delightful Green” and also called Happy Red Court. The name “Pure Scent of Alpinia and Iris” was altered to “Alpinia Park,” the “Approach to Apricot Tavern” became “Hemp Washing Cottage.” The main pavilion became “Grand View Pavilion,” its eastern wing “Variegated Splendour Tower,” that on the west “Fragrant Tower.” Other names given were “Smartweed Breeze Cot,” “Lotus Fragrance Anchorage,” “Purple Caltrop Isle” and “Watercress Isle.” She composed a dozen or so other inscriptions too such as “Pear Blossom in Spring Rain,” “Plane Trees in Autumn Wind” and “Artemisia in Evening Snow.” The rest of the inscriptions cannot all be recorded here. The other former inscriptions at her order remained unaltered. Then the Imperial Consort wrote this verse: Enfolding hills and streams laid out with skill —What labour went to build this pleasure ground! For these, the finest sights of earth and heaven, Not fitter name than “Grand View” can be found. With a simile she showed this to the girls and said, “I have never had a ready wit or any skill in versifying, as all of you know, but tonight I had to try my hand at a verse in honour of these pleasure grounds. Some day when I have more time, I promise to write a Description of Grand View Garden and a panegyric called The Family Reunion to commemorate this occasion. “Now I want each of you to write an inscription and a poem to go with it. Do your best, and don’t feel restricted by my lame attempt. It was such a delightful surprise to me to find that Baoyu can compose inscriptions and poems. The Bamboo Lodge and Alpinia Park are the places I like best, and after them Happy Red Court and Hemp Washing Cottage. We must have four poems specially written for these. Although Baoyu’s couplets composed earlier are charming, I want him now in my presence to write four lushi1 in five-character lines on each of these places. That will repay the efforts I made to teach him when he was a little boy. Baoyu had to agree and went off to rack his brains. Of Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun, Tanchun was the cleverest, but she realized that she was no match for Baochai and Daiyu. Still she had to write something, as the others were doing. Li Wan, too, contrived to compose a verse of sorts. The Imperial Consort looked first at the girls’ attempts. Here is what they had written: REFRESHING THE HEART Landscapes strange and rare here we find: 美国爆发禽流感Bashfully, at the word of command, I take up my pen; Who dreamed of such loveliness in the world of men? A stroll through these grounds refreshes heart and mind. Yingchun ALL THINGS VIE IN SPLENDOUR This garden laid out with consummate art I blush, with my poor skill, its fame to render. Past telling are the marvels in this place For here, indeed, all things compete in splendour. Tanchun REFINEMENT IN CREATION This landscape stretches to infinity, Its high pavilions soaring to the sky; Laid out in radiance of the moon and sun, Nature itself is by these scenes outdone. Xichun FAIR AND FINE Bright hills and crystal water intertwine, No fairy isle is half as fair or fine. Green fans of singers mid sweet herbs are lost, Plum-petals by red skirts of dancers tossed. Rare verses should record this golden hour — Our joy at the nymph’s descent from jasper tower. Once she has visited these lovely grounds No mortal foot may overstep their bounds. Li Wan CONCENTRATED SPLENDOUR,BESTOWED FELICITY West of the Palace in this pleasure ground Sunlight, auspicious clouds, rare sights abound; High willows orioles from the vale invite, Tall bamboos tempt the phoenix to alight. This night’s royal tour gives rise to poetry, Her visit fosters filial piety. Such wisdom flows from her immortal brush, Too awed to pen more lines I can but blush. Xue Baochai A FAIRYLAND FAR FROM THE WORLD OF MEN Who knows where this illustrious garden lies? Far from the dusty world this paradise. Here streams and mountains lend their fair delight Enhanced by many a novel scene and sight. Scents heady as the wine from Golden Dell2 Bind all in these jade halls with flowery spell; Blessed by Imperial favour, we would fain Welcome the royal visitant again. Lin Daiyu Yuanchun praised all these verses, then remarked with a smile, “Cousin Baochai’s and Cousin Daiyu’s are specially good. We others are no match for them.” Now Daiyu had intended to outshine them all that night by a great display of her brilliance; but when the Imperial Consort asked them each for merely one inscription and one poem, she knew it would be presumptuous to write more and simply dashed off a verse for the occasion. Meanwhile Baoyu was far from finished with his verses. Having written on Bamboo Lodge and Alpinia Park, he was now tackling Happy Red Court. His draft contained the line: The green jade leaves in spring are yet furled tight. Baochai, glancing at it while no one else was looking, nudged him surreptitiously. “She didn’t like ‘Red Fragrance and Green Jade,”’ she whispered. “That’s why she changed it to ‘Happy Red and Delightful Green.’ If you use ‘green jade’ again, won’t that look as if you’re challenging her judgement? Besides, there are plenty of allusions to plantain leaves you could use. Better find another phrase. Baoyu mopped his perspiring forehead. “I can’t for the moment think of any,” he said. Baochai smiled. “Just change ‘green jade’ into ‘green wax. “Is there such an allusion?” With a mocking smile and a smack of the lips she nodded. “If you’re in such a state tonight, by the time you sit for the Palace Examination I dare say you’ll even forget the first primer you ever read. Have you forgotten the opening line of that poem on the plantain by the Tang poet Qian Xu, ‘Smokeless the cold candles, the green wax is dry’?” Baoyu felt as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes. “How stupid of me!” he chuckled. “Fancy forgetting a ready-made phrase like that. You’re really my ‘one-word-teacher.’ From now on I shall have to address you as ‘master, ‘ not as ‘sister’ any more.” Suppressing a smile Baochai replied, “Hurry up and finish instead of talking such nonsense. Who are you calling ‘sister’? That’s your sister sitting up there in the golden robes. Why call me your sister?” Afraid to delay him by chatting, she slipped away. Baoyu persevered until three poems were done and Daiyu, depressed at having no chance to shine, came up to his desk where he was struggling alone, meaning to help him out by writing a couple of poems for him. Asked if he had finished, Baoyu said, “I’ve only done three. All left now is Approach to Apricot Tavern. “Well then, let me do that for you, while you copy out the other three.” After thinking for a moment with lowered head, she scribbled the poem out on a slip of paper, screwed it into a ball and tossed it to Baoyu. When he smoothed it out he found it ten times better than his own attempts. He was overjoyed. Having hurriedly copied it out with care he presented all four poems to Yuanchun. This is what she read: WHERE THE PHOENIX ALIGHTS The fruit fresh formed on jade stalks rare Makes for the phoenix fitting fare; So green each stem they seem to drip With coolness seeping from each verdant tip. Bursting through stones, they change the water’s track; Piercing through screens, hold tripod’s incense back; Let none disturb these chequered shades, That sweetly she may dream till daylight fades. PURE SCENT OF ALPINIA AND IRIS Alpinia fills the courtyard free from dust, By climbing fig its fragrance reinforced; Softly they heighten the fresh green of spring, Gently they trail their perfume, ring on ring. A light mist hides the winding path from view, From covered walks drips chill and verdant dew. But who will celebrate the pool in song? Lost in a dream, at peace, the poet sleeps long. HAPPY RED AND DELIGHTFUL GREEN In quiet court long days pass tranquilly; A charming match, plantain and apple-tree; The green wax leaves in spring are yet furled tight, The blossom decked in red keeps watch at night; With crimson sleeves one sweeps the balustrade, One, misty green, is by the rocks arrayed. Facing each other in the soft east wind They surely bring their mistress peace of mind! APPROACH TO APRICOT TAVERN A grove of apricots, a tavern-sign, And a hillside hamlet beyond; Elms, mulberries, swallows on rafters, And geese on the caltrop pond. In the fields spring leeks are green; All round, the paddy flowers scent the breeze; None goes hungry in these good times, Ploughman and weaver alike can take their ease. Yuanchun, delighted with these poems, exclaimed, “He has certainly made great progress!” Having pointed out that the last poem was the best, she changed the name “Hemp-Washing Cottage” into “Paddy-Sweet Cottage.” She then made Tanchun copy out all eleven poems on ornamental paper, and a eunuch delivered them to Jia Zheng and the other men waiting outside, who praised them highly. Jia Zheng also presented a panegyric of his own composition entitled The Visitation. Yuanchun had junket, ham and other delicacies presented to Baoyu and Jia Lan, who was too young to do more than pay his respects after his mother and uncles, for which reason he has not been previously mentioned. Jia Huan had not yet recovered from an illness contracted over New Year and was still convalescing in his own apartments; this is why no mention has been made of him either. All this time Jia Qiang was waiting impatiently down below with his twelve young actresses. But now a eunuch ran down to him, exclaiming, “They have finished their poems. Give me your programme, quick!” Jia Qiang lost no time in handing him a programme with a brocade cover and a list of the stage names of the twelve players. Presently four pieces were chosen: “The Sumptuous Banquet,”3 “The Double Seventh Festival,”4 “Meeting the Immortals”5 and “The Departure of the Soul.”6 Jia Qiang put on the first item without delay. All his players sang bewitchingly and danced divinely; thus although this was merely a stage performance they conveyed genuine grief and joy. No sooner had they finished than a eunuch appeared backstage with a golden tray of cakes and sweetmeats, and asked which of the actresses was Lingguan. Realizing that this was a present for her, Jia Qiang accepted it gladly and made her kowtow her thanks. The eunuch announced, “The Imperial Consort says that Lingguan is superb. She is to play in two more pieces of her own choice.” Jia Qiang hastily agreed and suggested “A Visit to the Garden” and “The Dream.”7 But since neither formed part of her repertoire, Lingguan insisted on “The Pledge” and “The Quarrel”8 instead. And Jia Qiang had to let her have her way. The Imperial Consort was so enchanted that she gave special instructions that this girl must be well treated and carefully trained. She gave Lingguan an extra reward of two rolls of Imperial satin, two embroidered pouches, some gold and silver trinkets and various delicacies. Then they left the banqueting hall to visit the places Yuanchun had not yet seen, among them a Buddhist convent set among hills, where she washed her hands before going in to burn incense and worship Buddha. She chose as inscription for this convent the words, “Ship of Mercy on the Sea of Suffering.” And here she gave additional gifts to the Buddhist nuns and Taoist priestesses. Soon a eunuch knelt to report that the list of gifts was ready for her approval. She read it through, found it satisfactory, and gave orders that the presents should be distributed. This was done by the eunuchs. he Lady Dowager received two ruyi sceptres, one of gold, the other of jade; a staff made of aloeswood; a chaplet of sandal-wood beads; four lengths of Imperial satin with designs signifying wealth, nobility and eternal youth; four lengths of silk with designs signifying good fortune and long life; ten bars of gold with designs signifying “May Your Wishes Come True,” and ten silver bars with fish and other designs to symbolize felicity and abundance. Lady Xing and Lady Wang received the same gifts with the exception of the sceptres, staff and chaplet. Jia Jing, Jia She and Jia Zheng each received two new books of His Majesty’s own composition, two cases of rare ink-sticks, four goblets, two of gold and two of silver, and lengths of satin identical with those described above. Baochai, Daiyu and the other girls each received one new book, a rare mirror and two pairs of gold and silver trinkets of a new design. Baoyu received the same. Jia Lan received one gold and one silver necklet, a pair of gold and a pair of silver medallions. To Madam You, Li Wan and Xifeng were given two gold and two silver medallions and four lengths of silk. In addition, twenty-four lengths of satin and a hundred strings of newly minted cash were allotted to the women-servants and maids in attendance on the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang and the girls. Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Jia Huan and Jia Rong each received one length of satin and a pair of gold medallions. A hundred rolls of variegated satin, a thousand taels of gold and silver, with various delicacies and wine from the Palace were given to those in both mansions responsible for the construction and maintenance of the Garden, the furnishing and upkeep of the various houses in the Garden, the theatre management and the preparation of lanterns. Five hundred strings of newly minted cash were also given as largesse to the cooks, actresses and jugglers. It was nearly three in the morning by the time all had expressed their thanks, and the eunuch in charge announced that it was time to leave. At once Yuanchun’s eyes filled with tears again, but forcing a smile she clasped the hands of her grandmother and mother and could not bring herself to let them go. “Don’t worry about me,” she begged them, “Just take good care of yourselves. Thanks to the Emperor’s kindness you can now come to the Palace once a month to see me, so we shall have many chances to meet again. There is no need to be upset. If next year by Imperial grace I’m allowed another visit home, you must promise not to be so extravagant.” The Lady Dowager and other women were sobbing too bitterly to make any reply. But although Yuanchun could hardly bear to leave, she could not disobey the Imperial regulations and had no alternative but to re-enter her palanquin which carried her away. The whole household did their best to console the Lady Dowager and Lady Wang as they helped them out of the Garden. But more of this in the next chapter | Chapter18 A brief family reunion 谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶is permitted by the magnanimity of a gracious Emperor And an Imperial Concubine takes pleasure in the literary progress of a younger brother Just at that moment a servant came in to say that the workmen needed some gauze for pasting on window-lattices and asked Xi-feng if she would unlock the storeroom for them. Then another servant arrived and asked her to take charge of some gold and silver plate. Lady Wang and her maids also seemed to be fully occupied. Thoughtful Bao-chai pointed out to Bao-yu and the rest that they were getting in everyone’s way, and at her suggestion they all adjourned to Ying-chun’s room. Lady Wang’s busyness in fact continued unabated until well into the tenth month. By then the contractors had fulfilled their contracts and the various buildings in the garden been stocked with appropriate ornaments and antiques; supplies of livestock—storks, deer, rabbits, chicken, geese, and so forth -had been purchased and distributed to the parts of the garden where they were to be reared; Jia Qiang’s young ladies had rehearsed and were word-perfect in twenty or thirty operatic pieces; and the little Buddhist and Taoist nuns had mastered the essential parts of their respective liturgies. Jia Zheng could now feel reasonably well satisfied that things were as they should be, and invited Grandmother Jia into the garden for a final inspection in which she was to suggest any last-minute alterations that might still be needed. When not the slightest shadow of an imperfection could any more be found, he at last sent in his written application for a Visitation. The Gracious Reply arrived on the very same day: Her Grace will make a Family Visitation next year on the fifteenth of the first month, being the Festival of Lanterns. The receipt of this reply seemed to throw the Jia family into an even greater frenzy of preparation than before, so that even its New Year celebrations that year were somewhat scamped. In no time at all the Festival of Lanterns seemed to be almost upon them. On the eighth of the first month a eunuch came from the Palace to inspect the layout of the Separate Residence and to establish where the Imperial Concubine would change her clothes’, where she would sit to converse with her family, where she would receive their obeisances, where she would feast them, and where she would retire to when she wanted to rest. The eunuch Chief of Security also arrived with his eunuch minions and supervised a great deal of sealing-up and screening-off everywhere. He also instructed the members of the household in the regulations for leaving and entering, serving food and bringing messages, all of which had to be done through special entrances and exits and by special routes. Outside the mansion the Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and a gentleman from the Board of Works were busy supervising the sweeping of the surrounding streets and the chasing away of all idlers, onlookers and other suspicious-looking characters.Meanwhile Jia She and the consortium were putting up ornamental lanterns everywhere in the gardens and fixing fireworks in place for a pyrotechnic display in honour of the visit. By the fourteenth everything was finally ready. No one in the Jia household, whether master or servant, had a wink of sleep throughout the whole of that night. By five o’clock next morning, when it was still dark night outside, all those in the family from Grandmother Jia downwards who held any sort of rank or title were already dressed in full court rig. In the Separate Residence painted phoenix and coiling dragon flapped and fluttered on drapes and curtains, gold and silver-work gleamed and glinted, jewels and gems made a fiery sparkle, subtle incenses smouldered in brazen censers, ‘everlastings’ blossomed in china vases; —and all was so silent, that throughout the whole of that great garden not the sound of a cough was to be heard. Jia She and the other menfolk drew themselves up outside the west gate. Grandmother Jia stood outside the main gate with the female members of the family. They noticed that the ends of the street and the entrances of the side-streets leading into it had all been screened off. Just as they were beginning to grow impatient, a eunuch trotted up on horseback and was stopped and questioned by Jia Zheng ‘Oh, you’re much too early yet!’ said the eunuch. ‘Her Grace won’t be taking her lunch until one o’clock; then at two she goes to divine service in the Bao-ling chapel. Five o’clock, when she has an appointment to feast with the Emperor in the Da-ming Palace and look at the New Year lanterns, is the first opportunity she will have of asking permission to leave. I should be surprised if she got started much before seven o’clock this evening!’ ‘Well,’ said Xi-feng to Grandmother Jia when she heard this, ‘you and Aunt Wang may as well go back to your room. You will be able to come back later on nearer the time.’ Grandmother Jia and the other ladies took her advice and went off, leaving Xi-feng to attend to whatever still needed doing in the garden. Under her direction some of the stewards carried off the eunuchs and treated them to food and wine, while other servants fetched great bundles of wax candles to illuminate the garden’s many lanterns with. Suddenly, as afternoon drew towards evening, a clatter of many hooves was heard, and after a short pause, a group of ten or so eunuchs rushed in out of breath, clapping their hands as they ran. This was taken by the other eunuchs as a sign that the Imperial Concubine was on her way, for they at once jumped up and hurried to their prearranged places. The family, too, took up their positions once more, Jia She and the menfolk outside the west gate and Grandmother Jia with the ladies outside the main entrance. For a long time there was total silence. Then a couple of eunuchs on horseback came riding very, very slowly up to the west gate. Dismounting, they led their horses out of sight behind the cloth screens, then returned to take up their stand at the sides of the road, half-facing towards the west. After a considerable wait, two more eunuchs arrived and went through the same motions as the first pair. Then another two, and then another, until in all some ten pairs were standing at the sides of the road, their faces turned expectantly towards the west. Presently a faint sound of music was heard and the Imperial Concubine’s procession at last came in sight. First came several pairs of eunuchs carrying embroidered banners. Then several more pairs with ceremonial pheasant-feather fans. Then eunuchs swinging gold-inlaid censers in which special ‘palace incense’ was burning. Next came a great gold-coloured ‘seven-phoenix’ umbrella of state, hanging from its curve-topped shaft like a great drooping bell-flower. In its shadow was borne the Imperial Concubine’s travelling wardrobe: her head-dress, robe, sash and shoes. Eunuch gentlemen-in-waiting followed carrying her rosary, her embroidered handkerchief, her spittoon, her fly-whisk, and various other items. Last of all, when this army of attendants had gone by, a great gold-topped palanquin with phoenixes embroidered on its yellow curtains slowly advanced on the shoulders of eight eunuch bearers. As Grandmother Jia and the rest dropped to their knees eunuchs rushed up and helped them to get up again. The palanquin passed through the great gate and made for the entrance of a courtyard on the east side of the forecourt. There a eunuch knelt beside it and invited the Imperial Concubine to descend and ‘change her clothes’. The bearers carried it through the entrance and set it down just inside the courtyard. The other eunuchs then withdrew, leaving Yuan-chun’s ladies-in-waiting to help her from the palanquin. The courtyard she now stepped out into was brilliant with coloured lanterns of silk gauze cunningly fashioned in all sorts of curious and beautiful shapes and patterns. An illuminated sign hung over the entrance of the principal building:PILLED WITH FAVOURS BATHED IN BLESSINGS Yuan-chun passed beneath it into the room that had been prepared for her, then, having ‘changed her clothes’, came out again and stepped back into the palanquin, which was now borne into the garden. Her first impression was a confused one of curling drifts of incense smoke and gleaming colours. There were lanterns everywhere, and soft strains of music. She seemed to be entering a little world wholly dedicated to the pursuit of ease and luxury and delight. Looking at it from the depths of her palanquin she shook her head a little sadly and sighed: ‘Oh dear, this is all so extravagant I’ At that moment a eunuch knelt beside the palanquin and invited the Imperial Concubine to proceed by boat. Stepping Out onto the waiting barge she saw an expanse of clear water curving between its banks like a sportive dragon. Lanterns of crystal and glass were fixed to the balustrades which lined the banks, their silvery radiance giving the white marble, in the semi-darkness, the appearance of gleaming drifts of snow. Because of the season, the willows and apricot trees above them were bare and leafless; but in place of leaves they were festooned with hundreds of tiny lanterns, and flowers of gauze, rice-paper and bast had been fastened to the tips of their branches. Other lanterns made of shells and feathers, in the form of lotuses, water-lilies, ducks and egrets floated on the surface of the water below. It would have been hard to say whether the water below or the banks above presented the more brilliant spectacle. Together they combined to make a fairyland of jewelled light. And to these visual delights were added the many charming miniature gardens on the barge itself—not to mention its pearl blinds, embroidered curtains, and the carved and painted oars and paddle with which it was furnished. While Yuanchun was still admiring all this, her boat approached a landing-stage in a grotto, above which hung a lantern-sign inscribed with these words: SMARTWEED BANK AND FLOWERY HARBOUR When, some months previously, Jia Zheng received a favourable report from Bao-yu’s schoolmaster in which his creative ability was commended, he had used the visit to the garden as a means of trying him out. The results were not, of course, what a great writer would have produced in similar circumstances, but at least they were not unworthy of the family’s literary traditions, and Jia Zheng resolved that his daughter should see them, so that she might know that the progress made by her beloved younger brother fully came up to the measure of those ardent hopes she had so often expressed in her letters. —Incidentally, Bao-yu had, in the intervening time, supplied many more inscriptions for the places they had been unable to cover on that first occasion. When Yuan-chun saw the words ‘Smartweed Bank and Flowery Harbour’ she laughed. ‘Surely “Flowery Harbour” is enough by itself? Why “Smartweed Bank” as well?’ At once an attendant eunuch disembarked and rushed like the wind to tell Jia Zheng, who immediately gave orders to have the inscription changed. By this time the barge had drawn alongside the bank and Yuan-chun disembarked and stepped once more into her palanquin. Soon she was borne into that part of the garden where ‘Roof above roof soared Eye up-compelling ... and saw the white marble memorial arch which had so strongly affected Bao-yu when he first saw it. It now bore a temporary inscription: PRECINCT OF THE CELESTIAL VISITANT Yuan-chun gave orders that the words ‘The House of Reunion’ should be substituted. She now ascended the terraces and entered the open-fronted hall of audience. From a ring of cressets against the night sky a fragrant scatter dropped on the flagstones; and candelabra like fiery fir-trees gleamed festively in the gilded casements; there were blinds looped and fringed like a prawn’s belly, there were rugs in rows like an otter’s offering; and tripods smoked with perfumes of musk and borneol, and behind the throne waved fans of pheasant feathers. It was a scene no whit less splendid than that fairy palace of which the poet sings: The abode of the Princess has cassia halls and orchid chambers. ‘How is it that this place has no name?’ asked Yuan-chun. ‘This is the principal hall of the Residence, Your Grace. The family dared not give it a name without consulting you first. Her Grace nodded. A eunuch Master of Ceremonies now requested her to seat herself upon a chair of state in order to receive the obeisances of her family. Music struck up from a band stationed at either side of the steps as two eunuchs conducted Jia She and Jia Zheng onto the terrace beneath. The other male members of the family ranged themselves behind them and the whole party then began to advance in formation up the steps into the hall. ‘Excused!’ A lady-in-waiting came forward and uttered this single word as an indication that the Imperial Concubine wished to absolve them from the ceremonial, and with a slight bow they withdrew. It was now the turn of Grandmother Jia (‘the Dowager Lady Jia of Rong-guo’ they called her) and the ladies of the household to make their obeisance. The eunuchs led them up the steps at the east side of the terrace on to the platform in front of the hall, where they ranged themselves in order of precedence. Once more the lady-in-waiting pronounced the absolving word and they, too, withdrew. After tea had been offered three times as etiquette prescribed, the Imperial Concubine descended from her throne, the music stopped, and she withdrew into a side room to ‘change her clothes’. A less formal carriage than the imperial palanquin had been prepared which carried her from the garden to her family’s own quarters. Inside Grandmother Jia’s apartment Yuan-chun became a grandchild once more and knelt down to make her kotow. But Grandmother Jia and the rest knelt down too and prevented her from prostrating herself. She ended up, clinging to Grandmother Jia by one hand and Lady Wang by the other, while the tears streamed down her face, too overcome to say anything. All three of them, in fact, though there was so much they wanted to say, seemed quite incapable of speech and stood there holding each other and sobbing, apparently unable to stop. The others present— Lady Xing, Li Wan, Wang Xi-feng, Ying-chun, Tan-chun and Xi-chun—stood round them weeping silently. No one spoke a word. Yuan-chun at last restrained her sobs and forced a smile to her tear-stained face: ‘It hasn’t been easy, winning this chance of coming back among you after all those years since I was first walled up in That Place. Now that we are seeing each other at last, we ought to talk and be cheerful, not waste all the time crying! I shall be leaving again in no time at all, and Heaven only knows when I shall have another chance of seeing you!’ At this point she broke down once more and had to be comforted by Lady Xing. When she had composed herself, Grandmother Jia made her sit down while the members of the family came forward one at a time to greet her and say a few words. This was an occasion for further tears. Then the senior menservants of both the Rong-guo and Ning-guo mansions assembled in the courtyard outside and paid their respects. They were followed by the women servants and maids, who were allowed to come inside the room to make their kotow. Yuan-chun asked why her Aunt Xue and her cousins Bao-chai and Lin Dai-yu were missing. ‘Relations outside the Jia family are not allowed to see you without a special invitation, dear,’ Lady Wang told her. Yuan-chun asked them to be invited in immediately, and Aunt Xue and the two girls arrived after a few moments. They would have kotowed to her in accordance with court etiquette had not Yuan-chun hurriedly excused them from doing so. The three of them went up to her, and niece and aunt exchanged news of the years that had elapsed since they last met. Next Lutany and the other maids who had accompanied Yuan-chun into the Palace came forward to make their kotows to Grandmother Jia. The old lady at once motioned to them to rise and gave instructions to her own servants to entertain them in another room. The senior eunuchs and the ladies4n-waiting were now led off by members of the staffs of Jia She’s household and the Ning-guo mansion to be entertained elsewhere, leaving only three or four very junior eunuchs in attendance. Yuan-chun was at last free to chat informally with her mother and the other female members of her family and learned for the first time about many personal and domestic events that had occurred in the household since she left it. Then there was her interview with Jia Zheng, which had to take place with her father standing outside the door-curtain of the room in which she was sitting. Now that she was the Emperor’s woman, this was the nearest to her he could ever hope to get. The sense of deprivation struck home to Yuan-chun as she addressed him through the curtain. ‘What is the use of all this luxury and splendour,’ she said bitterly, ‘if I am to be always separated from those I love—denied the tenderness which even the poorest peasant who seasons his bread with salt and pickles and dresses in hempen homespun is free to enjoy?’ With tears in his eyes the good man delivered the following little speech to the daughter he could not see: ‘Madam. That a poor and undistinguished household such as ours should have produced, as it were, a phoenix from amidst a flock of crows and pies to bask in the sunshine of Imperial favour and shed its reflected beams on the departed representatives of our ancestral line must be attributable to the concentration in your single person of the quintessences of all that is most admirable in celestial and terrestrial nature and the accumulated merit of many generations of our forebears, and is an honour and a blessing in which my wife and I are proud to be participators. ‘Our beloved Emperor, who embodies in his own Sacred Person those life-giving forces which are always invisibly at work in the natural cosmos, has showered down upon his grateful subjects a gracious kindness unprecedented in the annals of recorded history—a kindness which even the expenditure of our life’s blood to the veriest ultimate drop would be wholly inadequate to repay and which only the most unremitting pains and unswerving loyalty in the discharge of those duties to which it has pleased him to call us could adequately express. ‘It is our earnest prayer that His Sacred Majesty may continue long to reign over us, a blessing to all his peoples; and that Your Grace should feel no anxiety concerning the welfare of my wife and myself during our now declining years, but should rather cherish and sustain your own precious person, in order to be the better able to serve His Sacred Majesty with care and diligence, seeking by that service to be worthy of the tender regard and loving favour which he has been graciously pleased to bestow upon you.’ To this formal speech the Imperial Concubine made a formal reply: ‘Sir. It is of course desirable that you should exercise the utmost diligence when engaged upon business of state, but it is to be hoped that you will take sufficient care of your own well-being whenever not so engaged, and will under no circumstances vex yourself with anxiety on our behalf.’ ‘The inscriptions at present displayed on the pavilions and other buildings in the garden were composed by Bao-yu,’ said Jia Zheng. ‘If there are any places in the garden which particularly take your fancy, we hope you will name them for us.’ The news that Bao-yu could already compose inscriptions evoked a smile of pleasure. ‘He has made progress, then!’ Jia Zheng withdrew. ‘But why is Bao-yu not with us?’ she added. ‘The menfolk of the family are not supposed to see you without special reason,’ Grandmother Jia explained. Yuan-hun at once gave orders that he should be summoned, and presently he was brought in by one of the little eunuchs. When he had completed his kotow she called him over, and stretching Out her arms, drew him to her bosom where she held him in a close embrace, stroking his hair and fondling the back of his neck. ‘What a lot you have grown-!’ she began. But the rest was drowned in a flood of tears. You-shi and Xi-feng now approached to announce that a feast awaited her in the Separate Residence. Yuan-chun rose to her feet, and bidding Bao-yu lead the way, walked with the rest of the company to the gate of the garden. There, in the light of the innumerable lanterns, all kinds of spectacles had been prepared for her entertainment. The route led through ‘The Phoenix Dance’, ‘Fragrant Red and Lucent Green’, ‘The Hopeful Sign’, and ‘The Garden of Spices’. This time the inspection was no perfunctory one. Yuan-chun insisted on looking inside the buildings and climbing up and down their stairs. She crossed bridges, she walked round each tiny ‘mountain’, and every once in a while she stopped to look about her and admire the view. All the places she visited were so beautifully furnished and so ingeniously planned, that she could not conceal her delight. But there was a faint note of censure in her praise ‘You really mustn’t be so extravagant in future. This is far too much!’ They had now come to the main hall. Having first decreed that they should dispense with court etiquette—which would have prevented the older ladies from sitting down at all—she took her place at the main table, while Grandmother Jia and the rest sat at little tables on either side, and You-shi, Li Wan and Xi-feng moved to and fro, dispensing wine and helping with the service. While they were still drinking, Yuan-chun sent for writing materials, and taking up a brush, began in her own hand to write out some names for the parts of the garden she had liked the best. The name she chose for the garden as a whole was ‘Prospect Garden’, and she composed the following couplet to go outside the main reception hall: For all earth to share, his great compassion has been extended, that children and humble folk may gratefully rejoice. For all ages to admire, his noble institutions have been promoted, that people of every land and clime may joyfully exult. She altered ‘The Phoenix Dance’ to ‘The Naiad’s House’, and she renamed ‘Fragrant Red and Lucent Green’ ‘Crimson Joys and Green Delights’ and named the building in its grounds ‘The House of Green Delights’. The buildings belonging to ‘The Garden of Spices’ she named ‘All-spice Court’. Those of ‘The Hopeful Sign’ she gave the name ‘Washbrook Farm’. The main hall became ‘Prospect Hall’ with separate names for the high galleries on either side: ‘The Painted Chamber’ for the one on the east side, ‘The Fragrance Gallery’ for the one on the west. Among the other names which she invented for various other parts of the garden were: ‘The Smartweed Loggia’, ‘The Lotus Pavilion’, ‘Amaryllis Eyot’, and ‘Duckweed Island’. She also composed inscriptions for some of its prospects, including ‘Pear-tree blossom in springtime rain’, ‘Paulownia leaves in autumn wind’, and ‘Rushes in the winter snow’. The couplets composed by Bao-yu were to remain unaltered. Having finished with the inscriptions, she proceeded to write out the following quatrain of her own composition: Embracing hills and streams, with skill they wrought: Their work at last is to perfection brought. Earth’s fairest prospects all are here installed, So ‘Prospect Garden’ let its name be called! ‘There!’ she said with a smile to the girls. ‘I’m no genius, as you all well know, and I have never been much of a poet. But tonight I thought I really must write something, for this beautiful garden’s sake. Later on, when I have more time to spare, I intend to write a Description of Prospect Garden and a set of verses to be entitled The Visitation in commemoration of this wonderful night. But meanwhile I should like each of you girls to compose an inscription that could be used somewhere in the garden, and also a poem to go with it. Just write any-thing that comes into your heads. I don’t want you to restrict yourselves by trying to make your poems in any way relate to my own poor effort. As for Bao-yu: I am very pleased that he is able to compose verses so well, and I want him to write me an octet for each of the four places in the garden I like best: the Naiad’s House, All-spice Court - those are my two favourites—the House of Green Delights, and Washbrook Farm. The couplets he has already written for them are very good, but these are four such special places, that I feel they deserve to have something more written about them. And apart from that, if Bao-yu can show me these four poems while I am here, I shall feel that the efforts I made at teaching him when he was a little boy were worth while.’ Bao-yu could scarcely refuse, and went off to rack his brains for some good lines. Tan-chun was by far the most gifted of the Three Springs and joined Bao-chai and Dai-yu in writing octets. Li Wan’, Ying-chun and Xi-chun, none of whom had any talent for versification, contented themselves with a quatrain apiece, but found even four lines a considerable effort. When the girls had all finished, Yuan-chun took up the papers one by one and examined the results of their labours. Here is what they had written: Ying-chun: Heart’s Ease The garden finished, all its prospects please. Bidden to write, I name this spot ‘Heart’s Ease’. Who would have thought on earth such scenes to find As here refresh the heart and ease the mind? Tan-chun: Brightness and Grace Water on hills and hills on waters smile, More bright and graceful than the Immortal Isle. Midst odorous herbs the singer’s green fan hides; Her crimson skirt through falling petals glides. A radiant jewel to the world is shown, A fairy princess from her tower come down: And since her steps the garden’s walks have trod, No mortal foot must desecrate its sod. Xi-chun: Art the Creator The garden’s landscape far and wide outspreads; High in the clouds its buildings raise their heads; Serene in moonlight, radiant in the sun— Great Nature’s handiwork has been outdone! Li Wan: All Things Bright and Beautiful The finished garden is a wondrous sight. Unlettered and unskilled, I blush to write. Its marvels are not in one phrase expressed, Yet ‘Bright and Beautiful’ I judge the best. Xue Bao-chai: Auspicious Skies West of imperial walls the garden lies; The sun beams on it from auspicious skies. Its willows orioles from the vale invite; Tall bamboos tempt the phoenix to alight. Poetic arts this night must celebrate Filial affection dressed in robes of state. Dare I, who have those jewelled phrases read, Add more to what She has already said? Lin Dai-yu: The Fairy Stream To fairy haunts far from the world’s annoy A royal visit brings a double joy. A thousand borrowed beauties here combined In this new setting new enchantment find. Its odours sweet a poet’s wine enrich; Its flowers a queenly visitor bewitch. May she and we this favour hope to gain: That oft-times she may pass this way again! As soon as she had finished reading the poems, Yuan-chun praised them all warmly. ‘But Cousin Lin’s and Cousin Xue’s poems are specially good,’ she said. ‘Our Jia girls are no match for them!’ Dai-yu had confidently expected that this night would give her an opportunity of deploying her talents to the full and amazing everyone with her genius. It was very disappointing that no more had been required of her than a single little poem and an inscription; and though she was obliged to confine herself to what the Imperial Concubine had commanded, she had composed her octet without enthusiasm and in very perfunctory manner. Meanwhile Bao-yu was far from finished with his consignment. He had finished composing the poems for the Naiad’s House and All-spice Court and was still in the middle of a poem on the House of Green Delights. Bao-chai took a peep over his shoulder and noticed that his draft contained the line Some wear sheathed skirts of lucent green curled tight. When no one was looking she gave him a nudge: ‘You can tell Her Grace didn’t like “lucent green” because she only lust now altered it to something else in your inscription. If you insist on using it in your poem, it will look as if you are deliberately flaunting your difference of opinion. There are so many allusions to plantain leaves you could use, you shouldn’t have much difficulty in substituting something else.’ ‘It’s all very well for you to talk,’ said Bao-yu, mopping the perspiration from his brow, ‘but at this particular moment I can’t think of any allusion that would do.’ ‘Why don’t you put “in spring green waxen sheaths” in place of your “sheathed skirts of lucent green”?’ ‘Where do you get “green waxen” from?’ said Baoyu. ‘Tut, tut, tut!’ Baochai shook her head pityingly. ‘If this is what you are like tonight, Heaven knows what you’ll be like in a few years’ time when you come to take the Palace Examination. Probably you’ll find you have forgotten even the Child’s First Primer of Rhyming Names. It’s from the Tang poet Qian Xu’s poem “Furled Plantains”: Green waxen candles from which no flames rise. Do you mean to say you’ve forgotten that?’ The scales fell from Bao-yu’s eyes. ‘Good gracious, how stupid of me! The words are there ready-made and I didn’t think of them! I shall have to call you my “One Word Teacher”, like the poet in the story! I shan’t be able to treat you like a sister any more, I shall have to say “sir” when I speak to you I’ ‘Sister!’ said Bao-chai with a little laugh. ‘Stop fooling about and get on with your poem! That’s your sister, sitting up there in the golden robe. I’m no sister of yours!’ Fearing that he would waste more time if she stayed, she slipped quietly away. The poem finished, Bao-yu had now completed three out of the four commanded. At this point Dai-yu, who was still full of dissatisfaction because her talent had been underemployed, noticed that Bao-yu was struggling and came over to the table at which he was working. Observing that ‘The Hopeful Sign’ still remained to be done, she told him to get on with the copying Out in fair of the three poems he had already completed while she thought of something for ‘The Hopeful Sign’. When she had completed a poem in her head, she scribbled it out on a piece of paper, screwed it into a little ball, and tossed it in front of him. Bao-yu smoothed it Out On the table and read it through. It seemed to him to be ten times better than the ones he had written himself. He copied it out in neat kai-shu after the other three and handed the finished task to Yuan-chun for her inspection. This is what she read: The Phoenix Dance Perfected now at last, this place is fit For Bird of Paradise to enter it. Bach graceful wand lets fall a dewy tear; Each glossy leaf breathes coolness on the air. Through narrow-parted blocks the pent stream leaps; Through chinks of blind the incense thinly seeps. Let none the checkered shade with violence rude Disrupting, on the slumberer’s dreams intrude! The Garden of Spices Fragrance of flower-drifts in these quiet confines Mingles with headier scents of eglantines, And summer’s herbs in a soft, spicy bed Their aromatic perfumes subtly spread. Light mist half screens the winding walks from view, Where chilly verdure soaks the clothes with dew. Here, slumbering quietly at the fountain’s side, The dreaming poet all day long may bide. The House of Green Delight In this quiet plot, where peace reigns through the year, Bewitching ladies rank on rank appear: Some wear in spring green waxen sheaths curled tight, Some carmine caps, that are not doffed at night. Some from the trellis trail their purple sleeves, Some lean on rocks, where thin mists cool their leaves. Their Mistress, standing in the soft summer breeze, Finds quiet content in everything she sees. The Hopeful Sign An inn-sign, through the orchards half-discerned, Promises shelter and a drink well-earned. Through water-weeds the pond’s geese make their way; Midst elms and mulberry-trees the swallows play. The garden’s chives are ready to prepare; The scent of young rice perfumes all the air. When want is banished, as in times like these, The spinner and the ploughman take their ease. Yuan-chun was genuinely delighted. ‘You really have made progress I’ she said. She singled out ‘The Hopeful Sign’ as the best of the four and changed the name ‘Washbrook Farm’ back to ‘Sweet-rice Village’ by way of acknowledgement. She made Tan-chun copy all ten poems - Bao-yu’s and the girls’ - on to a sheet of fancy paper and sent a eunuch to show it to the gentlemen outside. Jia Zheng and the others were very complimentary, and Jia Zheng presented a eulogy of his own composition entitled The Visitation. Yuan-chun also ordered Bao-yu and Jia Lan to be given presents of junket and mince, both of some special kind only made in the Imperial kitchens. At this period Jia Lan was still only a very little boy and did not really know what was going on. He was taken by his mother Li Wan into Yuan-chun’s presence and stood beside his uncle Bao-yu to make his little bow of thanks. All this time Jia Qiang and his troupe of girl players had been waiting impatiently below for an order to begin their performance. Just as they were reaching a peak of impatience, a eunuch came running down to them. ‘They’ve finished writing poems,’ he said. ‘Quick, give me a play-bill!’ Jia Qiang hurriedly handed him a list of the pieces they had rehearsed, together with a brochure containing the stage names of each of the twelve players and some notes on the parts which each of them played. Four pieces were chosen: ‘Shi-fi’n Entertains’ from The Handful of Snow, ‘The Double Seventh’ from The Palace of Eternal Youth, ‘The Meeting of the Immortals’ from The Han-dan Road and Li-niang’s death-scene from The Return of the Soul. Jia Qiang supervised the preparations, and soon the rock-splitting little voices and spell-binding movements of the actresses had taken over, and the stage was full of passions which were no whit less overwhelming for being counterfeit. No sooner had they finished than a eunuch came round, bearing a variety of fancy cakes and sweetmeats on a gilded salver. ‘Which is “Charmante”?’ he asked, referring to the stage name of the little soubrette who had played the part of Liraang’s maid in The Return of the Soul and a dashing young huntsman in the ‘play within a play’ in The Handful of Snow. Jia Qiang realized that the confectionery was a present for the little actress, and taking the salver from the eunuch, made Mademoiselle Charmante come forward and kotow her thanks. ‘Her Grace says that she enjoyed Mademoiselle Charmante’s performance the most and would like to see her in two more pieces,’ said the eunuch. ‘She may choose any two she likes.’ Having replied to the eunuch, Jia Qiang told Charmante that she ought to play two more pieces from The Return of the Soul: ‘The Walk in the Garden’ and ‘The Dream’. But neither had a part suitable for a soubrette in it, and Charmante obdurately refused. She said she would do ‘The Assignation’ and ‘The Altercation’ from The Bracelet and the Comb, in which the part of the pert young maidservant would allow her comic talent a fuller scope. Jia Qiang failed to talk her out of this decision and had to let her do as she wished. Yuan-chun was delighted, and gave special instructions that Charmante was to be well treated and to have the best possible training. She also awarded her, over and above her share of the presents that the whole troupe would receive in commemoration of her visit, two dress-lengths of tribute satin, two embroidered purses, and some miniature gold and silver ingots. The feast was now cleared away and Yuan-chun recommenced her tour of the garden, visiting those places which she had not had time to look at before dinner. When they came to the little convent nestling under its hill, she washed her hands and entered the shrine-hall to offer incense and pray before the image of the Buddha. She also wrote an inscription for the board which hung above the image: THE SHIP OF MERCY ON THE SEA OF SUFFERING and gave instructions for various extra presents to be bestowed on the little nuns in addition to those which, along with all the other members of the household, they were already due to receive in commemoration of her visit. A list for the latter had already been drawn up and presently it was submitted to Yuan-chun by a kneeling eunuch for her approval. After reading through it in silence she approved its contents and asked that they should be distributed forthwith. The presents distributed were as follows: To Grandmother Jia: one golden ru-yi sceptre one jade ditto a staff of carved aloeswood a rosary of putchuk beads four lengths of ‘Fu Gui Chang Chun’ tribute satin four lengths of ‘Fu Shou Mian Chang’ tribute silk ten medallions of red gold with a design showing an ingot, a writing-brush and a sceptre (which in the riddling rebus-language used by the makers of such objects meant ‘All your heart’s desire’) ten silver medallions with a design showing a stone- chime flanked by a pair of little fish (carrying the rebus-message ‘Blessings in abundance’) Lady Xing, Lady Wang and Aunt Xue each received the same selection of gifts as randmother Jia with the omission of the sceptres, staff and rosary. To Jia Jing, Jia She and Jia Zheng (each): two new books of His Imperial Majesty’s own composition two boxes of ink-sticks (collector’s pieces) one solid gold wine-cup one solid silver ditto silks and satins as above. To Bao-yu, Dai-yu, Ying-chun, Tan-chun and Xi-chun (each): one new book one inkstone (collector’s piece) two specially designed medallions in gold two ditto in silver To Bao-yu and Jia Lan (each): one gold necklet one silver ditto two gold medallions two silver ditto To You-shi, Li Wan and Xi-feng (each): two gold medallions two silver ditto four dress-lengths of tribute silk (Also twenty-four lengths of silk and one hundred strings of unmixed Imperial Mint copper cash for the women-Servants and maids in attendance on Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang and the girls) To Cousin Zhen, Jia Lian, Jia Huan and Jia Rong (each): one length of tribute satin one gold medallion one silver ditto There were also a hundred bales of variegated satins, a thousand taels of silver and an unspecified number of bottles of Palace wine for the senior servants of the Rong and Ning Mansions and Separate Residence responsible for construction and maintenance, attendance, theatre management, and lighting, and an additional five hundred strings of unmixed Imperial Mint copper cash for the cooks, entertainers and Miscellaneous. When all had expressed their thanks, one of the eunuchs in charge announced that it was a quarter to three and time for Her Grace to return to the Palace. At once Yuan-chun’s eyes filled with tears, and even though she forced herself to smile, she was unable to prevent a few drops from falling. Clinging to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang as if she would never let them go, she begged them again and again not to grieve for her. ‘Now you mustn’t worry about me, my dears: just look after yourselves! Thanks to the Emperor’s kindness, we are now allowed visits in the Palace once a month: so you see we can see each other quite easily. It is silly of us to be so upset! And if His Majesty is gracious enough to permit another Visitation next year you really mustn’t be so extravagant again on my account!’ Grandmother Jia and the others were now sobbing audibly and were much too overcome to reply. But Yuan-chun, however hard it was to leave her family, dared not infringe the regulations of the Imperial Household, and steeled herself to re-enter the palanquin which was to carry her away. It was all the rest of the family could do to restrain Grandmother Jia from making a scene, and when she was somewhat calmed, she and Lady Wang had to be led weeping from the garden in a state of near-collapse. What followed will be told in the next chapter. |
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