中国经典 》 紅樓夢 A Dream of Red Mansions 》
第十四回 林如海捐館揚州城 賈寶玉路謁北靜王 CHAPTER XIV.
曹雪芹 Cao Xueqin
高鶚 Gao E
CHAPTER XIV.
話說寧國府中都總管來升聞得裏面委請了鳳姐，因傳齊同事人等說道：“如今請了西府裏璉二奶奶管理內事，倘或他來支取東西，或是說話，我們須要比往日小心些。每日大傢早來晚散，寧可辛苦這一個月，過後再歇着，不要把老臉丟了。那是個有名的烈貨，臉酸心硬，一時惱了，不認人的。”衆人都道：“有理。”又有一個笑道：“論理，我們裏面也須得他來整治整治，都忒不像了。”正說着，衹見來旺媳婦拿了對牌來領取呈文京榜紙札，票上批着數目。衆人連忙讓坐倒茶，一面命人按數取紙來抱着，同來旺媳婦一路來至儀門口，方交與來旺媳婦自己抱進去了。
鳳姐即命彩明釘造簿册。即時傳來升媳婦，兼要傢口花名册來查看，又限於明日一早傳齊傢人媳婦進來聽差等語。大概點了一點數目單册，問了來升媳婦幾句話，便坐車回傢。一宿無話。至次日，卯正二刻便過來了。那寧國府中婆娘媳婦聞得到齊，衹見鳳姐正與來升媳婦分派，衆人不敢擅入，衹在窗外聽覷。衹聽鳳姐與來升媳婦道：“既托了我，我就說不得要討你們嫌了。我可比不得你們奶奶好性兒，由着你們去。再不要說你們‘這府裏原是這樣’的話，如今可要依着我行，錯我半點兒，管不得誰是有臉的，誰是沒臉的，一例現清白處理。”說着，便吩咐彩明念花名册，按名一個一個的喚進來看視。
一時看完，便又吩咐道：“這二十個分作兩班，一班十個，每日在裏頭單管人客來往倒茶，別的事不用他們管。這二十個也分作兩班，每日單管本傢親戚茶飯，別的事也不用他們管。這四十個人也分作兩班，單在靈前上香添油，挂幔守靈，供飯供茶，隨起舉哀，別的事也不與他們相幹。這四個人單在內茶房收管杯碟茶器，若少一件，便叫他四個描賠。這四個人單管酒飯器皿，少一件，也是他四個描賠。這八個單管監收祭禮。這八個單管各處燈油，蠟燭，紙札，我總支了來，交與你八個，然後按我的定數再往各處去分派。這三十個每日輪流各處上夜，照管門戶，監察火燭，打掃地方。這下剩的按着房屋分開，某人守某處，某處所有桌椅古董起，至於痰盒撣帚，一草一苗，或丟或壞，就和守這處的人算帳描賠。來升傢的每日攬總查看，或有偷懶的，賭錢吃酒的，打架拌嘴的，立刻來回我，你有徇情，經我查出，三四輩子的老臉就顧不成了。如今都有定規，以後那一行亂了，衹和那一行說話。素日跟我的人，隨身自有鐘錶，不論大小事，我是皆有一定的時辰。橫竪你們上房裏也有時辰鐘。卯正二刻我來點卯，巳正吃早飯，凡有領牌回事的，衹在午初刻。戌初燒過黃昏紙，我親到各處查一遍，回來上夜的交明鑰匙。第二日仍是卯正二刻過來。說不得咱們大傢辛苦這幾日罷，事完了，你們傢大爺自然賞你們。”
說罷，又吩咐按數發與茶葉，油燭，雞毛撣子，笤帚等物。一面又搬取傢夥：桌圍，椅搭，坐褥，氈席，痰盒，腳踏之類。一面交發，一面提筆登記，某人管某處，某人領某物，開得十分清楚。衆人領了去，也都有了投奔，不似先時衹揀便宜的做，剩下的苦差沒個招攬。各房中也不能趁亂失迷東西。便是人來客往，也都安靜了，不比先前一個正擺茶，又去端飯，正陪舉哀，又顧接客。如這些無頭緒，荒亂，推托，偷閑，竊取等弊，次日一概都Ь了。
鳳姐兒見自己威重令行，心中十分得意。因見尤氏犯病，賈珍又過於悲哀，不大進飲食，自己每日從那府中煎了各樣細粥，精緻小菜，命人送來勸食。賈珍也另外吩咐每日送上等菜到抱廈內，單與鳳姐。那鳳姐不畏勤勞，天天於卯正二刻就過來點卯理事，獨在抱廈內起坐，不與衆妯娌合群，便有堂客來往，也不迎會。
這日乃五七正五日上，那應佛僧正開方破獄，傳燈照亡，參閻君，拘都鬼，筵請地藏王，開金橋，引幢幡，那道士們正伏章申表，朝三清，叩玉帝，禪僧們行香，放焰口，拜水懺，又有十三衆尼僧，搭綉衣，и紅鞋，在靈前默誦接引諸咒，十分熱鬧。那鳳姐必知今日人客不少，在傢中歇宿一夜，至寅正，平兒便請起來梳洗。及收拾完備，更衣プ手，吃了兩口奶子糖粳米粥，漱口已畢，已是卯正二刻了。來旺媳婦率領諸人伺候已久。鳳姐出至廳前，上了車，前面打了一對明角燈，大書"榮國府"三個大字，款款來至寧府。大門上門燈朗挂，兩邊一色戳燈，照如白晝，白汪汪穿孝僕從兩邊侍立。請車至正門上，小廝等退去，衆媳婦上來揭起車簾。鳳姐下了車，一手扶着豐兒，兩個媳婦執着手把燈罩，簇擁着鳳姐進來。寧府諸媳婦迎來請安接待。鳳姐緩緩走入會芳園中登仙閣靈前，一見了棺材，那眼淚恰似斷綫之珠，滾將下來。院中許多小廝垂手伺候燒紙。鳳姐吩咐得一聲：“供茶燒紙。”衹聽一棒鑼鳴，諸樂齊奏，早有人端過一張大圈椅來，放在靈前，鳳姐坐了，放聲大哭。於是裏外男女上下，見鳳姐出聲，都忙忙接聲嚎哭。
一時賈珍尤氏遣人來勸，鳳姐方纔止住。來旺媳婦獻茶漱口畢，鳳姐方起身，別過族中諸人，自入抱廈內來。按名查點，各項人數都已到齊，衹有迎送親客上的一人未到。即命傳到，那人已張惶愧懼。鳳姐冷笑道：“我說是誰誤了，原來是你！你原比他們有體面，所以纔不聽我的話。”那人道：“小的天天都來的早，衹有今兒，醒了覺得早些，因又睡迷了，來遲了一步，求奶奶饒過這次。”正說着，衹見榮國府中的王興媳婦來了，在前探頭。
鳳姐且不發放這人，卻先問：“王興媳婦作什麽？"王興媳婦巴不得先問他完了事，連忙進去說：“領牌取綫，打車轎網絡。”說着，將個帖兒遞上去。鳳姐命彩明念道：“大轎兩頂，小轎四頂，車四輛，共用大小絡子若幹根，用珠兒綫若幹斤。”鳳姐聽了，數目相合，便命彩明登記，取榮國府對牌擲下。王興傢的去了。
鳳姐方欲說話時，見榮國府的四個執事人進來，都是要支取東西領牌來的。鳳姐命彩明要了帖念過，聽了一共四件，指兩件說道：“這兩件開銷錯了，再算清了來取。”說着擲下帖子來。那二人掃興而去。
鳳姐因見張材傢的在旁，因問：“你有什麽事？"張材傢的忙取帖兒回說：“就是方纔車轎圍作成，領取裁縫工銀若幹兩。”鳳姐聽了，便收了帖子，命彩明登記。待王興傢的交過牌，得了買辦的回押相符，然後方與張材傢的去領。一面又命念那一個，是為寶玉外書房完竣，支買紙料糊裱。鳳姐聽了，即命收帖兒登記，待張材傢的繳清，又發與這人去了。
鳳姐便說道：“明兒他也睡迷了，後兒我也睡迷了，將來都沒了人了。本來要饒你，衹是我頭一次寬了，下次人就難管，不如現開發的好。”登時放下臉來，喝命：“帶出去，打二十板子！"一面又擲下寧國府對牌：“出去說與來升，革他一月銀米！"衆人聽說，又見鳳姐眉立，知是惱了，不敢怠慢，拖人的出去拖人，執牌傳諭的忙去傳諭。那人身不由己，已拖出去挨了二十大板，還要進來叩謝。鳳姐道：“明日再有誤的，打四十，後日的六十，有要挨打的，衹管誤！"說着，吩咐：“散了罷。”窗外衆人聽說，方各自執事去了。彼時寧府榮府兩處執事領牌交牌的，人來人往不絶，那抱愧被打之人含羞去了，這纔知道鳳姐利害。衆人不敢偷閑，自此兢兢業業，執事保全。不在話下。
如今且說寶玉因見今日人衆，恐秦鐘受了委麯，因默與他商議，要同他往鳳姐處來坐。秦鐘道：“他的事多，況且不喜人去，咱們去了，他豈不煩膩。”寶玉道：“他怎好膩我們，不相幹，衹管跟我來。”說着，便拉了秦鐘，直至抱廈。鳳姐纔吃飯，見他們來了，便笑道：“好長腿子，快上來罷。”寶玉道：“我們偏了。”鳳姐道：“在這邊外頭吃的，還是那邊吃的？"寶玉道：“這邊同那些渾人吃什麽！原是那邊，我們兩個同老太太吃了來的。”一面歸坐。
鳳姐吃畢飯，就有寧國府中的一個媳婦來領牌，為支取香燈事。鳳姐笑道：“我算着你們今兒該來支取，總不見來，想是忘了。這會子到底來取，要忘了，自然是你們包出來，都便宜了我。”那媳婦笑道：“何嘗不是忘了，方纔想起來，再遲一步，也領不成了。”說罷，領牌而去。
一時登記交牌。秦鐘因笑道：“你們兩府裏都是這牌，倘或別人私弄一個，支了銀子跑了，怎樣？"鳳姐笑道：“依你說，都沒王法了。”寶玉因道：“怎麽咱們傢沒人領牌子做東西？"鳳姐道：“人傢來領的時候，你還做夢呢。我且問你，你們這夜書多早晚纔念呢？"寶玉道：“巴不得這如今就念纔好，他們衹是不快收拾出書房來，這也無法。”鳳姐笑道：“你請我一請，包管就快了。”寶玉道：“你要快也不中用，他們該作到那裏的，自然就有了。”鳳姐笑道：“便是他們作，也得要東西，擱不住我不給對牌是難的。”寶玉聽說，便猴嚮鳳姐身上立刻要牌，說：“好姐姐，給出牌子來，叫他們要東西去。”鳳姐道：“我乏的身子上生疼，還擱的住揉搓。你放心罷，今兒纔領了紙裱糊去了，他們該要的還等叫去呢，可不傻了？"寶玉不信，鳳姐便叫彩明查册子與寶玉看了。正鬧着，人回：“蘇州去的人昭兒來了。”鳳姐急命喚進來。昭兒打千兒請安。鳳姐便問：“回來做什麽的？"昭兒道：“二爺打發回來的。林姑老爺是九月初三日巳時沒的。”二爺帶了林姑娘同送林姑老爺靈到蘇州，大約趕年底就回來。二爺打發小的來報個信請安，討老太太示下，還瞧瞧奶奶傢裏好，叫把大毛衣服帶幾件去。”鳳姐道：“你見過別人了沒有？"昭兒道：“都見過了。”說畢，連忙退去。鳳姐嚮寶玉笑道：“你林妹妹可在咱們傢住長了。”寶玉道：“了不得，想來這幾日他不知哭的怎樣呢。”說着，蹙眉長嘆。
鳳姐見昭兒回來，因當着人未及細問賈璉，心中自是記挂，待要回去，爭奈事情繁雜，一時去了，恐有延遲失誤，惹人笑話。少不得耐到晚上回來，復令昭兒進來，細問一路平安信息。連夜打點大毛衣服，和平兒親自檢點包裹，再細細追想所需何物，一並包藏交付昭兒。又細細吩咐昭兒：“在外好生小心伏侍，不要惹你二爺生氣，時時勸他少吃酒，別勾引他認得混帳老婆，-回來打折你的腿"等語。趕亂完了，天已四更將盡，總睡下又走了睏，不覺天明雞唱，忙梳洗過寧府中來。
那賈珍因見發引日近。親自坐車，帶了陰陽司吏，往鐵檻寺來踏看寄靈所在。又一一囑咐住持色空，好生預備新鮮陳設，多請名僧，以備接靈使用。色空忙看晚齋。賈珍也無心茶飯，因天晚不得進城，就在淨室胡亂歇了一夜。次日早，便進城來料理出殯之事，一面又派人先往鐵檻寺，連夜另外修飾停靈之處，並廚茶等項接靈人口坐落。
裏面鳳姐見日期有限，也預先逐細分派料理，一面又派榮府中車轎人從跟王夫人送殯，又顧自己送殯去占下處。目今正值繕國公誥命亡故，王邢二夫人又去打祭送殯，西安郡王妃華誕，送壽禮，鎮國公誥命生了長男，預備賀禮，又有胞兄王仁連傢眷回南，一面寫傢信稟叩父母並帶往之物，又有迎春染病，每日請醫服藥，看醫生啓帖，癥源，藥案等事，亦難盡述。又兼發引在邇，因此忙的鳳姐茶飯也沒工夫吃得，坐臥不能清淨。剛到了寧府，榮府的人又跟到寧府，既回到榮府，寧府的人又找到榮府。鳳姐見如此，心中倒十分歡喜，並不偷安推托，恐落人褒貶，因此日夜不暇，籌劃得十分的整肅。於是閤族上下無不稱嘆者。
這日伴宿之夕，裏面兩班小戲並耍百戲的與親朋堂客伴宿，尤氏猶臥於內室，一應張羅款待，獨是鳳姐一人周全承應。閤族中雖有許多妯娌，但或有羞口的，或有羞腳的，或有不慣見人的，或有懼貴怯官的，種種之類，俱不及鳳姐舉止舒徐，言語慷慨，珍貴寬大，因此也不把衆人放在眼裏，揮霍指示，任其所為，目若無人。一夜中燈明火彩，客送官迎，那百般熱鬧，自不用說的。至天明，吉時已到，一般六十四名青衣請靈，前面銘旌上大書：“奉天洪建兆年不易之朝誥封一等寧國公塚孫婦防護內廷紫禁道御前侍衛竜禁尉享強壽賈門秦氏恭人之靈柩"。一應執事陳設，皆係現趕着新做出來的，一色光豔奪目。寶珠自行未嫁女之禮外，摔喪駕靈，十分哀苦。
那時官客送殯的，有鎮國公牛清之孫現襲一等伯牛繼宗，理國公柳彪之孫現襲一等子柳芳，齊國公陳翼之孫世襲三品威鎮將軍陳瑞文，治國公馬魁之孫世襲三品威遠將軍馬尚，修國公侯曉明之孫世襲一等子侯孝康，繕國公誥命亡故，故其孫石光珠守孝不曾來得。這六傢與寧榮二傢，當日所稱"八公"的便是。餘者更有南安郡王之孫，西寧郡王之孫，忠靖侯史鼎，平原侯之孫世襲二等男蔣子寧，定城侯之孫世襲二等男兼京營遊擊謝鯨，襄陽侯之孫世襲二等男戚建輝，景田侯之孫五城兵馬司裘良。餘者錦鄉伯公子韓奇，神武將軍公子馮紫英，陳也俊，衛若蘭等諸王孫公子，不可枚數。堂客算來亦有十來頂大轎，三四十小轎，連傢下大小轎車輛，不下百餘十乘。連前面各色執事，陳設，百耍，浩浩蕩蕩，一帶擺三四裏遠。
走不多時，路旁彩棚高搭。設席張筵，和音奏樂，俱是各傢路祭：第一座是東平王府祭棚，第二座是南安郡王祭棚，第三座是西寧郡王，第四座是北靜郡王的。原來這四王，當日惟北靜王功高，及今子孫猶襲王爵。現今北靜王水溶年未弱冠，生得形容秀美，情性謙和。近聞寧國公塚孫婦告殂，因想當日彼此祖父相與之情，同難同榮，未以異姓相視，因此不以王位自居，上日也曾探喪上祭，如今又設路奠，命麾下各官在此伺候。自己五更入朝，公事一畢，便換了素服，坐大轎鳴鑼張傘而來，至棚前落轎。手下各官兩旁擁侍，軍民人衆不得往還。
一時衹見寧府大殯浩浩蕩蕩，壓地銀山一般從北而至。早有寧府開路傳事人看見，連忙回去報與賈珍。賈珍急命前面駐紮，同賈赦賈政三人連忙迎來，以國禮相見。水溶在轎內欠身含笑答禮，仍以世交稱呼接待，並不妄自尊大。賈珍道：“犬婦之喪，纍蒙郡駕下臨，蔭生輩何以剋當。”水溶笑道：“世交之誼，何出此言。”遂回頭命長府官主祭代奠。賈赦等一旁還禮畢，復身又來謝恩。
水溶十分謙遜，因問賈政道：“那一位是銜寶而誕者？幾次要見一見，都為雜冗所阻，想今日是來的，何不請來一會。”賈政聽說，忙回去，急命寶玉脫去孝服，領他前來。那寶玉素日就曾聽得父兄親友人等說閑話時，贊水溶是個賢王，且生得才貌雙全，風流瀟灑，每不以官俗國體所縛。每思相會，衹是父親拘束嚴密，無由得會，今見反來叫他，自是歡喜。一面走，一面早瞥見那水溶坐在轎內，好個儀表人材。不知近看時又是怎樣，且聽下回分解。
Lin Ju-hai dies in the City of Yang Chou. Chia Pao-yue meets the Prince of Pei Ching on the way.
When Lai Sheng, be it noticed in continuing our story, the major-domo in the Ning Kuo mansion, came to hear that from inside an invitation had been extended to lady Feng to act as deputy, he summoned together his co-workers and other servants. "Lady Secunda, of the western mansion," he harangued them, "has now been asked to take over the control of internal affairs; and should she come we must, when we apply for anything, or have anything to say, be circumspect in our service; we should all every day come early and leave late; and it's better that we should exert ourselves during this one month and take rest after it's over. We mustn't throw away our old 'face,' for she's well known to be an impetuous thing, with a soured face and a hard heart, who, when angry, knows no distinction of persons."
The whole company unanimously admitted that he was right; and one of their number too observed smilingly, "It's but right that for the inner apartments, we should, in fact, get her to come and put things in proper order, as everything is very much what it should not be."
But while he uttered these words, they saw Lai Wang's wife coming, with an indent in hand, to fetch paper for the supplications and prayers, the amount of which was mentioned on the order; and they one and all hastened to press her into a seat, and to help her to a cup of tea; while a servant was told to fetch the quantity of paper required. (When it was brought,) Lai Wang carried it in his arms and came, the whole way with his wife, as far as the ceremonial gate; when he, at length, delivered it over to her and she clasped it, and walked into the room all alone.
Lady Feng issued prompt directions to Ts'ai Ming to prepare a register; and sending, there and then, for Lai Sheng's wife, she asked her to submit, for her perusal, the roll with the servants' names. She furthermore fixed upon an early hour of the following day to convene the domestics and their wives in the mansion, in order that they should receive their orders; but, after cursorily glancing over the number of entries in the list, and making a few inquiries of Lai Sheng's wife, she soon got into her curricle, and went home.
On the next day, at six and two quarters, she speedily came over. The matrons and married women of the Ning Kuo mansion assembled together, as soon as they heard of her arrival; but, perceiving lady Feng, assisted by Lai Sheng's wife, engaged in apportioning the duties of each servant, they could not presume to intrude, but remained outside the window listening to what was going on.
"As I've been asked to take over the charge," they heard lady Feng explain to Lai Sheng's wife, "I'm, needless to say, sure to incur the displeasure of you all, for I can't compare with your mistress, who has such a sweet temper, and allows you to have your own way. But saying nothing more of those ways, which prevailed hitherto among your people in this mansion, you must now do as I tell you; for on the slightest disregard of my orders, I shall, with no discrimination between those who may be respectable and those who may not be, clearly and distinctly call all alike to account."
Having concluded these remarks, she went on to order Ts'ai Ming to read the roll; and, as their names were uttered, one by one was called in, and passed under inspection. After this inspection, which was got over in a short time, she continued giving further directions. "These twenty," she said "should be divided into two companies; ten in each company, whose sole daily duties should be to attend inside to the guests, coming and going, and to serve tea for them; while with any other matters, they needn't have anything to do. These other twenty should also be divided into two companies, whose exclusive duties will be, day after day, to look after the tea and eatables of the relatives of our family; and these too will have no business to concern themselves with outside matters. These forty will again be divided into two companies, who will have nothing else to look to than to remain in front of the coffin and offer incense, renew the oil, hang up the streamers, watch the coffin, offer sacrifices of rice, and oblations of tea, and mourn with the mourners; and neither need they mind anything outside these duties. These four servants will be specially attached to the inner tea-rooms to look after cups, saucers and the tea articles generally; and in the event of the loss of any single thing, the four of them will have to make it good between them. These other four servants will have the sole charge of the articles required for eatables and wine; and should any get mislaid compensation will have likewise to be made by them. These eight servants will only have to attend to taking over the sacrificial offerings; while these eight will have nothing more to see to beyond keeping an eye over the lamps, oil, candles and paper wanted everywhere. I'll have a whole supply served out and handed to you eight to by and by apportion to the various places, in quantities which I will determine. These thirty servants are each day, by rotation, to keep watch everywhere during the night, looking after the gates and windows, taking care of the fires and candles, and sweeping the grounds; while the servants, who remain, are to be divided for duty in the houses and rooms, each one having charge of a particular spot. And beginning from the tables, chairs and curios in each place, up to the very cuspidors and brooms, yea even to each blade of grass or sprout of herb, which may be there, the servants looking after this part will be called upon to make good anything that may be either mislaid or damaged. You, Lai Sheng's wife, will every day have to exercise general supervision and inspection; and should there be those who be lazy, any who may gamble, drink, fight or wrangle, come at once and report the matter to me; and you mustn't show any leniency, for if I come to find it out, I shall have no regard to the good old name of three or four generations, which you may enjoy. You now all have your fixed duties, so that whatever batch of you after this acts contrary to these orders, I shall simply have something to say to that batch and to no one else. The servants, who have all along been in my service, carry watches on their persons, and things, whether large or small, are invariably done at a fixed time. But, in any case, you also have clocks in your master's rooms, so that at 6.30, I shall come and read the roll, and at ten you'll have breakfast. Whenever there is any indent of any permits to be made or any report to be submitted, it should be done at 11.30 a.m. and no later. At 7 p.m., after the evening paper has been burnt, I shall come to each place in person to hold an inspection; and on my return, the servants on watch for the night will hand over the keys. The next day, I shall again come over at 6.30 in the morning; and needless to say we must all do the best we can for these few days; and when the work has been finished your master is sure to recompense you."
When she had done speaking, she went on to give orders that tea, oil, candles, feather dusters, brooms and other necessaries should be issued, according to the fixed quantities. She also had furniture, such as table-covers, antimacassars, cushions, rugs, cuspidors, stools and the like brought over and distributed; while, at the same time, she took up the pencil and made a note of the names of the persons in charge of the various departments, and of the articles taken over by the respective servants, in entries remarkable for the utmost perspicacity.
The whole body of servants received their charge and left; but they all had work to go and attend to; not as in former times, when they were at liberty to select for themselves what was convenient to do, while the arduous work, which remained over, no one could be found to take in hand. Neither was it possible for them in the various establishments to any longer avail themselves of the confusion to carelessly mislay things. In fact, visitors came and guests left, but everything after all went off quietly, unlike the disorderly way which prevailed hitherto, when there was no clue to the ravel; and all such abuses as indolence, and losses, and the like were completely eradicated.
Lady Feng, on her part, (perceiving) the weight her influence had in enjoining the observance of her directions, was in her heart exceedingly delighted. But as she saw, that Chia Chen was, in consequence of Mrs. Yu's indisposition, even so much the more grieved as to take very little to drink or to eat, she daily, with her own hands, prepared, in the other mansion, every kind of fine congee and luscious small dishes, which she sent over, in order that he might be tempted to eat.
And Chia Lien had likewise given additional directions that every day the finest delicacies should be taken into the ante-chamber, for the exclusive use of lady Feng.
Lady Feng was not one to shirk exertion and fatigue, so that, day after day, she came over at the proper time, called the roll, and managed business, sitting all alone in the ante-chamber, and not congregating with the whole bevy of sisters-in-law. Indeed, even when relatives or visitors came or went, she did not go to receive them, or see them off.
This day was the thirty-fifth day, the very day of the fifth seven, and the whole company of bonzes had just (commenced the services) for unclosing the earth, and breaking Hell open; for sending a light to show the way to the departed spirit; for its being admitted to an audience by the king of Hell; for arresting all the malicious devils, as well as for soliciting the soul-saving Buddha to open the golden bridge and to lead the way with streamers. The Taoist priests were engaged in reverently reading the prayers; in worshipping the Three Pure Ones and in prostrating themselves before the Gemmy Lord. The disciples of abstraction were burning incense, in order to release the hungered spirits, and were reading the water regrets manual. There was also a company of twelve nuns of tender years, got up in embroidered dresses, and wearing red shoes, who stood before the coffin, silently reading all the incantations for the reception of the spirit (from the lower regions,) with the result that the utmost bustle and stir prevailed.
Lady Feng, well aware that not a few guests would call on this day, was quick to get out of bed at four sharp, to dress her hair and perform her ablutions. After having completed every arrangement for the day, she changed her costume, washed her hands, and swallowed a couple of mouthfuls of milk. By the time she had rinsed her mouth, it was exactly 6.30; and Lai Wang's wife, at the head of a company of servants, had been waiting a good long while, when lady Feng appeared in front of the Entrance Hall, mounted her carriage and betook herself, preceded by a pair of transparent horn lanterns, on which were written, in large type, the three characters, Jung Kuo mansion, to the main entrance gate of the Ning Household. The door lanterns shed brilliant rays from where they were suspended; while on either side the lanterns, of uniform colours, propped upright, emitted a lustrous light as bright as day.
The servants of the family, got up in their mourning clothes, covered the ground far and wide like a white sheet. They stood drawn in two rows, and requested that the carriage should drive up to the main entrance. The youths retired, and all the married women came forward, and raising the curtain of the carriage, lady Feng alighted; and as with one arm she supported herself on Feng Erh, two married women, with lanterns in their hands, lighted the way. Pressed round by the servants, lady Feng made her entry. The married women of the Ning mansion advanced to greet her, and to pay their respects; and this over, lady Feng, with graceful bearing, entered the Garden of Concentrated Fragrance. Ascending the Spirit Hall, where the tablet was laid, the tears, as soon as she caught sight of the coffin, trickled down her eyes like pearls whose string had snapped; while the youths in the court, and their number was not small, stood in a reverent posture, with their arms against their sides, waiting to burn the paper. Lady Feng uttered one remark, by way of command: "Offer the tea and burn the paper!" when the sound of two blows on the gong was heard and the whole band struck up together. A servant had at an early period placed a large armchair in front of the tablet, and lady Feng sat down, and gave way to loud lamentations. Promptly all those, who stood inside or outside, whether high or low, male or female, took up the note, and kept on wailing and weeping until Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu, after a time, sent a message to advise her to withhold her tears; when at length lady Feng desisted.
Lai Wang's wife served the tea; and when she had finished rinsing her mouth, lady Feng got up; and, taking leave of all the members of the clan, she walked all alone into the ante-chamber, where she ascertained, in the order of their names, the number of the servants of every denomination in there. They were all found to be present, with the exception of one, who had failed to appear, whose duties consisted in receiving and escorting the relatives and visitors. Orders were promptly given to summon him, and the man appeared in a dreadful fright. "What!" exclaimed lady Feng, as she forced a smile, "is it you who have been remiss? Is it because you're more respectable than they that you don't choose to listen to my words?"
"Your servant," he pleaded, "has come at an early hour every day; and it's only to-day that I come late by one step; and I entreat your ladyship to forgive this my first offence."
While yet he spoke, she perceived the wife of Wang Hsing, of the Jung Kuo mansion, come forward and pop her head in to see what was going on; but lady Feng did not let this man go, but went on to inquire of Wang Hsing's wife what she had come for.
Wang Hsing's wife drew near. "I've come," she explained, "to get an order, so as to obtain some thread to make tassels for the carriages and chairs." Saying this, she produced the permit and handed it up, whereupon lady Feng directed Ts'ai Ming to read the contents aloud. "For two large, sedan chairs," he said, "four small sedan chairs and four carriages, are needed in all so many large and small tassels, each tassel requiring so many catties of beads and thread."
Lady Feng finding, after she had heard what was read, that the numbers (and quantities) corresponded, forthwith bade Ts'ai Ming make the proper entry; and when the order from the Jung Kuo mansion had been fetched, and thrown at her, Wang Hsing's wife took her departure.
Lady Feng was on the very point of saying something, when she espied four managers of the Jung Kuo mansion walk in; all of whom wanted permits to indent for stores. Having asked them to read out the list of what they required, she ascertained that they wanted four kinds of articles in all. Drawing attention to two items: "These entries," she remarked, "are wrong; and you had better go again and make out the account clearly, and then come and fetch a permit."
With these words, she flung down the requisitions, and the two men went their way in lower spirits than when they had come.
Lady Feng then caught sight of the wife of Chang Ts'ai standing by, and asked her what was her business, whereupon Chang Ts'ai's wife promptly produced an indent. "The covers of the carriages and sedan chairs," she reported, "have just been completed, and I've come to fetch the amount due to the tailors for wages."
Lady Feng, upon hearing her explanation, took over the indent, and directed Ts'ai Ming to enter the items in the book. After Wang Hsing had handed over the money, and obtained the receipt of the accountant, duly signed, which tallied with the payment, he subsequently walked away in company with Chang Ts'ai's wife. Lady Feng simultaneously proceeded to give orders that another indent should be read, which was for money to purchase paper with to paste on the windows of Pao-yue's outer school-room, the repairs to which had been brought to completion, and as soon as lady Feng heard the nature of the application, she there and then gave directions that the permit should be taken over and an entry made, and that the money should be issued after Chang Ts'ai's wife had delivered everything clearly.
"If to-morrow he were to come late," lady Feng then remarked, "and if the day after, I were to come late; why by and by there'll be no one here at all! I should have liked to have let you off, but if I be lenient with you on this first instance, it will be hard for me, on the occurrence of another offence, to exercise any control over the rest. It's much better therefore that I should settle accounts with you."
The moment she uttered these words, she put on a serious look, and gave orders that he should be taken out and administered twenty blows with the bamboo. When the servants perceived that lady Feng was in an angry mood, they did not venture to dilly-dally, but dragged him out, and gave him the full number of blows; which done, they came in to report that the punishment had been inflicted.
Lady Feng likewise threw down the Ning Mansion order and exclaimed, addressing herself to Lai Sheng: "Cut him a month's wages and rice! and tell them all to disperse, and have done with it!"
All the servants at length withdrew to attend to their respective duties, while the man too, who had been flogged, walked away, as he did all he could to conceal his shame and stifle his tears. About this time arrived and went, in an incessant stream, servants from both the Jung and Ning mansions, bent upon applying for permits and returning permits, and with one by one again did lady Feng settle accounts. And, as in due course, the inmates of the Ning mansion came to know how terrible lady Feng was, each and all were ever since so wary and dutiful that they did not venture to be lazy.
But without going into further details on this subject, we shall now return to Pao-yue. Seeing that there were a lot of people about and fearing lest Ch'in Chung might receive some offence, he lost no time in coming along with him to sit over at lady Feng's. Lady Feng was just having her repast, and upon seeing them arrive: "Your legs are long enough, and couldn't you have come somewhat quicker!" she laughingly observed.
"We've had our rice, thanks," replied Pao-yue.
"Have you had it," inquired lady Feng, "outside here, or over on the other side?"
"Would we eat anything with all that riff-raff?" exclaimed Pao-yue; "we've really had it over there; in fact, I now come after having had mine with dowager lady Chia."
As he uttered these words, they took their seats. Lady Feng had just finished her meal, when a married woman from the Ning mansion came to get an order to obtain an advance of money to purchase incense and lanterns with.
"I calculated," observed lady Feng, "that you would come to-day to make requisition, but I was under the impression that you had forgotten; had you really done so you would certainly have had to get them on your own account, and I would have been the one to benefit."
"Didn't I forget? I did," rejoined the married woman as she smiled; "and it's only a few minutes back that it came to my mind; had I been one second later I wouldn't have been in time to get the things."
These words ended, she took over the order and went off. Entries had, at the time to be made in the books, and orders to be issued, and Ch'in Chung was induced to interpose with a smirk, "In both these mansions of yours, such orders are alike in use; but were any outsider stealthily to counterfeit one and to abscond, after getting the money, what could ever be done?"
"In what you say," replied lady Feng, "you take no account of the laws of the land."
"How is it that from our house, no one comes to get any orders or to obtain anything?" Pao-yue having inquired: "At the time they come to fetch them," rejoined lady Feng, "you're still dreaming; but let me ask you one thing, when will you two at last begin your evening course of studies?"
"Oh, I wish we were able to begin our studies this very day," Pao-yue added; "that would be the best thing, but they're very slow in putting the school-room in order, so that there's no help for it!"
Lady Feng laughed. "Had you asked me," she remarked, "I can assure you it would have been ready quick enough."
"You too would have been of no use," observed Pao-yue, "for it will certainly be ready by the time they ought to finish it in."
"But in order that they should do the work," suggested lady Feng, "it's also necessary that they should have the material, they can't do without them; and if I don't give them any permits, it will be difficult to obtain them."
Pao-yue at these words readily drew near to lady Feng, and there and then applied for the permits. "My dear sister," he added, "do give them the permits to enable them to obtain the material and effect the repairs."
"I feel quite sore from fatigue," ventured lady Feng, "and how can I stand your rubbing against me? but compose your mind. They have this very day got the paper, and gone to paste it; and would they, for whatever they need, have still waited until they had been sent for? they are not such fools after all!"
Pao-yue would not believe it, and lady Feng at once called Ts'ai Ming to look up the list, which she handed for Pao-yue's inspection; but while they were arguing a servant came in to announce that Chao Erh, who had gone to Su Chow, had returned, and lady Feng all in a flurry directed that he should be asked to walk in. Chao Erh bent one knee and paid his obeisance.
"Why have you come back?" lady Feng readily inquired.
"Mr. Secundus (Chia Lien)," he reported, "sent me back to tell you that Mr. Lin (our dowager lady's) son-in-law, died on the third of the ninth moon; that Master Secundus is taking Miss Lin along with him to escort the coffin of Mr. Lin as far as Su Chow; and that they hope to be back some time about the end of the year. Master despatched me to come and announce the news, to bring his compliments, and to crave our old lady's instructions as well as to see how you are getting on in my lady's home. He also bade me take back to him a few long fur pelisses."
"Have you seen any one else besides me?" lady Feng inquired.
"I've seen every one," rejoined Chao Erh; and withdrew hastily at the conclusion of this remark, out of the apartment, while lady Feng turned towards Pao-yue with a smile and said, "Your cousin Lin can now live in our house for ever."
"Poor thing!" exclaimed Pao-yue. "I presume that during all these days she has wept who knows how much;" and saying this he wrinkled his brow and heaved a deep sigh.
Lady Feng saw Chao Erh on his return, but as she could not very well, in the presence of third persons, make minute inquiries after Chia Lien, she had to continue a prey to inward solicitude till it was time to go home, for, not having got through what she had to do, she was compelled to wait patiently until she went back in the evening, when she again sent word for Chao Erh to come in, and asked him with all minuteness whether the journey had been pleasant throughout, and for full particulars. That very night, she got in readiness the long pelisses, which she herself, with the assistance of P'ing Erh, packed up in a bundle; and after careful thought as to what things he would require, she put them in the same bundle and committed them to Chao Erh's care. She went on to solicitously impress upon Chao Erh to be careful in his attendance abroad. "Don't provoke your master to wrath," she said, "and from time to time do advise him not to drink too much wine; and don't entice him to make the acquaintance of any low people; for if you do, when you come back I will cut your leg off."
The preparations were hurriedly and confusedly completed; and it was already the fourth watch of the night when she went to sleep. But soon again the day dawned, and after hastily performing her toilette and ablutions, she came over to the Ning Mansion.
As Chia Chen realised that the day for escorting the body away was drawing nigh, he in person went out in a curricle, along with geomancers, to the Temple of the Iron Fence to inspect a suitable place for depositing the coffin. He also, point by point, enjoined the resident managing-bonze, Se K'ung, to mind and get ready brand-new articles of decoration and furniture, and to invite a considerable number of bonzes of note to be at hand to lend their services for the reception of the coffin.
Se K'ung lost no time in getting ready the evening meal, but Chia Chen had, in fact, no wish for any tea or rice; and, as the day was far advanced and he was not in time to enter the city, he had, after all, to rest during that night as best he could in a "chaste" room in the temple. The next morning, as soon as it was day, he hastened to come into the city and to make every preparation for the funeral. He likewise deputed messengers to proceed ahead to the Temple of the Iron Fence to give, that very night, additional decorative touches to the place where the coffin was to be deposited, and to get ready tea and all the other necessaries, for the use of the persons who would be present at the reception of the coffin.
Lady Feng, seeing that the day was not far distant, also apportioned duties and made provision for everything beforehand with circumspect care; while at the same time she chose in the Jung mansion, such carriages, sedan chairs and retinue as were to accompany the cortege, in attendance upon madame Wang, and gave her mind furthermore to finding a place where she herself could put up in at the time of the funeral. About this very time, it happened that the consort of the Duke Shan Kuo departed this life, and that mesdames Wang and Hsing had likewise to go and offer sacrifices, and to follow the burial procession; that the birthday occurred of the consort of Prince Hsi An; that presents had to be forwarded on the occasion of this anniversary; and that the consort of the Duke of Chen Kuo gave birth to a first child, a son, and congratulatory gifts had, in like manner, to be provided. Besides, her uterine brother Wang Jen was about to return south, with all his family, and she had too to write her home letters, to send her reverent compliments to her father and mother, as well as to get the things ready that were to be taken along. There was also Ying Ch'un, who had contracted some illness, and the doctor had every day to be sent for, and medicines to be administered, the notes of the doctor to be looked after, consisting of the bulletins of the diagnosis and the prescriptions, with the result that the various things that had to be attended to by lady Feng were so manifold that it would, indeed, be difficult to give an exhaustive idea of them.
In addition to all this, the day for taking the coffin away was close at hand, so that lady Feng was so hard pressed for time that she had even no desire for any tea to drink or anything to eat, and that she could not sit or rest in peace. As soon as she put her foot into the Ning mansion, the inmates of the Jung mansion would follow close upon her heels; and the moment she got back into the Jung mansion, the servants again of the Ning mansion would follow her about. In spite however of this great pressure, lady Feng, whose natural disposition had ever been to try and excel, was urged to strain the least of her energies, as her sole dread was lest she should incur unfavourable criticism from any one; and so excellent were the plans she devised, that every one in the clan, whether high or low, readily conceded her unlimited praise.
On the night of this day, the body had to be watched, and in the inner suite of apartments two companies of young players as well as jugglers entertained the relatives, friends and other visitors during the whole of the night. Mrs. Yu was still laid up in the inside room, so that the whole task of attending to and entertaining the company devolved upon lady Feng alone, who had to look after everything; for though there were, in the whole clan, many sisters-in-law, some there were too bashful to speak, others too timid to stand on their feet; while there were also those who were not accustomed to meeting company; and those likewise who were afraid of people of high estate and shy of officials. Of every kind there were, but the whole number of them could not come up to lady Feng's standard, whose deportment was correct and whose speech was according to rule. Hence it was that she did not even so much as heed any of that large company, but gave directions and issued orders, adopting any course of action which she fancied, just as if there were no bystander.
The whole night, the lanterns emitted a bright light and the fires brilliant rays; while guests were escorted on their way out and officials greeted on their way in; but of this hundredfold bustle and stir nothing need, of course, be said.
The next morning at the dawn of day, and at a propitious moment, sixty-four persons, dressed all alike in blue, carried the coffin, preceded by a streamer with the record in large characters: Coffin of lady Ch'in, a lady of the fifth degree, (by marriage) of the Chia mansion, deceased at middle age, consort of the grandson of the Ning Kuo Duke with the first rank title of honour, (whose status is) a guard of the Imperial antechamber, charged with the protection of the Inner Palace and Roads in the Red Prohibited City.
The various paraphernalia and ornaments were all brand-new, hurriedly made for the present occasion, and the uniform lustrous brilliancy they shed was sufficient to dazzle the eyes.
Pao-chu, of course, observed the rites prescribed for unmarried daughters, and dashed the bowl and walked by the coffin, as she gave way to most bitter lamentations.
At that time, among the officials who escorted the funeral procession, were Niu Chi-tsung, the grandson of the Chen Kuo duke, who had now inherited the status of earl of the first degree; Liu Fang, the grandson of Liu Piao, duke of Li Kuo, who had recently inherited the rank of viscount of the first class; Ch'en Jui-wen, a grandson of Ch'en Yi, duke of Ch'i Kuo, who held the hereditary rank of general of the third degree, with the prefix of majestic authority; Ma Shang, the grandson of Ma K'uei, duke of Chih Kuo, by inheritance general of the third rank with the prefix of majesty afar; Hou Hsiao-keng, an hereditary viscount of the first degree, grandson of the duke of Hsiu Kuo, Hou Hsiao-ming by name; while the death of the consort of the duke of Shan Kuo had obliged his grandson Shih Kuang-chu to go into mourning so that he could not be present. These were the six families which had, along with the two households of Jung and Ning, been, at one time, designated the eight dukes.
Among the rest, there were besides the grandson of the Prince of Nan An; the grandson of the Prince of Hsi An; Shih Ting, marquis of Chung Ching; Chiang Tzu-ning, an hereditary baron of the second grade, grandson of the earl of P'ing Yuan; Hsieh K'un, an hereditary baron of the second order and Captain of the Metropolitan camp, grandson of the marquis of Ting Ch'ang: Hsi Chien-hui, an hereditary baron of the second rank, a grandson of the marquis of Nang Yang; Ch'in Liang, in command of the Five Cities, grandson of the marquis of Ching T'ien. The remainder were Wei Chi, the son of the earl of Chin Hsiang; Feng Tzu-ying, the son of a general, whose prefix was supernatural martial spirit; Ch'en Yeh-chuen, Wei Jo-lan and others, grandsons and sons of princes who could not be enumerated.
In the way of ladies, there were also in all about ten large official sedan chairs full of them, thirty or forty private chairs, and including the official and non-official chairs, and carriages containing inmates of the household, there must have been over a hundred and ten; so that with the various kinds of paraphernalia, articles of decoration and hundreds of nick-nacks, which preceded, the vast expanse of the cortege covered a continuous line extending over three or four li.
They had not been very long on their way, when they reached variegated sheds soaring high by the roadside, in which banquets were spread, feasts laid out, and music discoursed in unison. These were the viatory sacrificial offerings contributed by the respective families. The first shed contained the sacrificial donations of the mansion of the Prince of Tung P'ing; the second shed those of the Prince of Nan An; the third those of the Prince of Hsi Ning, and the fourth those of the Prince of Pei Ching.
Indeed of these four Princes, the reputation enjoyed in former days by the Prince of Pei Ching had been the most exalted, and to this day his sons and grandsons still succeeded to the inheritance of the princely dignity. The present incumbent of the Princedom of Pei Ching, Shih Jung, had not as yet come of age, but he was gifted with a presence of exceptional beauty, and with a disposition condescending and genial. At the demise, recently, of the consort of the eldest grandson of the mansion of Ning Kuo, he, in consideration of the friendship which had formerly existed between the two grandfathers, by virtue of which they had been inseparable, both in adversity as well as in prosperity, treating each other as if they had not been of different surnames, was consequently induced to pay no regard to princely dignity or to his importance, but having like the others paid, on the previous day, his condolences and presented sacrificial offerings, he had further now raised a shed wherein to offer libations. Having directed every one of his subordinate officers to remain in this spot in attendance, he himself went at the fifth watch to court, and when he acquitted himself of his public duties he forthwith changed his attire for a mourning costume, and came along, in an official sedan chair, preceded by gongs and umbrellas. Upon reaching the front of the shed the chair was deposited on the ground, and as his subordinate officers pressed on either side and waited upon him, neither the military nor the populace, which composed the mass of people, ventured to make any commotion. In a short while, the long procession of the Ning mansion became visible, spreading far and wide, covering in its course from the north, the whole ground like a silver mountain. At an early hour, the forerunners, messengers and other attendants on the staff of the Ning mansion apprised Chia Chen (of the presence of the sheds), and Chia Chen with all alacrity gave orders that the foremost part of the cortege should halt. Attended by Chia She and Chia Chen, the three of them came with hurried step to greet (the Prince of Pei Ching), whom they saluted with due ceremony. Shih Jung, who was seated in his sedan chair, made a bow and returned their salutations with a smile, proceeding to address them and to treat them, as he had done hitherto, as old friends, without any airs of self-importance.
"My daughter's funeral has," observed Chia Chen, "put your Highness to the trouble of coming, an honour which we, though noble by birth, do not deserve."
Shih Jung smiled. "With the terms of friendship," he added, "which have existed for so many generations (between our families), is there any need for such apologies?"
Turning his head round there and then, he gave directions to the senior officer of his household to preside at the sacrifices and to offer libations in his stead; and Chia She and the others stood together on one side and made obeisance in return, and then came in person again and gave expression to their gratitude for his bounty.
Shih Jung was most affable and complaisant. "Which is the gentleman," he inquired of Chia Chen, "who was born with a piece of jade in his mouth? I've long had a wish to have the pleasure of seeing him, and as he's sure to be on the spot on an occasion like this, why shouldn't you invite him to come round?"
Chia Chen speedily drew back, and bidding Pao-yue change his mourning clothes, he led him forward and presented him.
Pao-yue had all along heard that Shih Jung was a worthy Prince, perfect in ability as well as in appearance, pleasant and courteous, not bound down by any official custom or state rite, so that he had repeatedly felt a keen desire to meet him. With the sharp control, however, which his father exercised over him, he had not been able to gratify his wish. But on this occasion, he saw on the contrary that he came to call him, and it was but natural that he should be delighted. Whilst advancing, he scrutinised Shih Jung with the corner of his eye, who, seated as he was in the sedan chair, presented an imposing sight.
But, reader, what occurred on his approach is not yet known, but listen to the next chapter, which will divulge it.
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