中国经典 》 红楼梦 A Dream of Red Mansions 》
第十五回 王凤姐弄权铁槛寺 秦鲸卿得趣馒头庵 CHAPTER XV.
曹雪芹 Cao Xueqin
高鹗 Gao E
CHAPTER XV.
话说宝玉举目见北静王水溶头上戴着洁白簪缨银翅王帽，穿着江牙海水五爪坐龙白蟒袍，系着碧玉红ネ带，面如美玉，目似明星，真好秀丽人物。宝玉忙抢上来参见，水溶连忙从轿内伸出手来挽住。见宝玉戴着束发银冠，勒着双龙出海抹额，穿着白蟒箭袖，围着攒珠银带，面若春花，目如点漆。水溶笑道：“名不虚传，果然如‘宝’似‘玉’。”因问：“衔的那宝贝在那里？"宝玉见问，连忙从衣内取了递与过去。水溶细细的看了，又念了那上头的字，因问：“果灵验否？"贾政忙道：“虽如此说，只是未曾试过。”水溶一面极口称奇道异，一面理好彩绦，亲自与宝玉带上，又携手问宝玉几岁，读何书。宝玉一一的答应。
水溶见他语言清楚，谈吐有致，一面又向贾政笑道：“令郎真乃龙驹凤雏，非小王在世翁前唐突，将来‘雏凤清于老凤声’，未可量也。”贾政忙陪笑道：“犬子岂敢谬承金奖。赖蕃郡余祯，果如是言，亦荫生辈之幸矣。”水溶又道：“只是一件，令郎如是资质，想老太夫人，夫人辈自然钟爱极矣，但吾辈后生，甚不宜钟溺，钟溺则未免荒失学业。昔小王曾蹈此辙，想令郎亦未必不如是也。若令郎在家难以用功，不妨常到寒第。小王虽不才，却多蒙海上众名士凡至都者，未有不另垂青目。是以寒第高人颇聚。令郎常去谈会谈会，则学问可以日进矣。”贾政忙躬身答应。
水溶又将腕上一串念珠卸了下来，递与宝玉道：“今日初会，仓促竟无敬贺之物，此是前日圣上亲赐йк香念珠一串，权为贺敬之礼。”宝玉连忙接了，回身奉与贾政。贾政与宝玉一齐谢过。于是贾赦，贾珍等一齐上来请回舆，水溶道：“逝者已登仙界，非碌碌你我尘寰中之人也。小王虽上叨天恩，虚邀郡袭，岂V可越仙而进也？"贾赦等见执意不从，只得告辞谢恩回来，命手下掩乐停音，滔滔然将殡过完，方让水溶回舆去了。不在话下。
且说宁府送殡，一路热闹非常。刚至城门前，又有贾赦，贾政，贾珍等诸同僚属下各家祭棚接祭，一一的谢过，然后出城，竟奔铁槛寺大路行来。彼时贾珍带贾蓉来到诸长辈前，让坐轿上马，因而贾赦一辈的各自上了车轿，贾珍一辈的也将要上马。凤姐儿因记挂着宝玉，怕他在郊外纵性逞强，不服家人的话，贾政管不着这些小事，惟恐有个失闪，难见贾母，因此便命小厮来唤他。宝玉只得来到他车前。凤姐笑道：“好兄弟，你是个尊贵人，女孩儿一样的人品，别学他们猴在马上。下来，咱们姐儿两个坐车，岂不好？"宝玉听说，忙下了马，爬入凤姐车上，二人说笑前来。不一时，只见从那边两骑马压地飞来，离凤姐车不远，一齐蹿下来，扶车回说：“这里有下处，奶奶请歇更衣。”凤姐急命请邢夫人王夫人的示下，那人回来说：“太太们说不用歇了，叫奶奶自便罢。”凤姐听了，便命歇了再走。众小厮听了，一带辕马，岔出人群，往北飞走。宝玉在车内急命请秦相公。那时秦钟正骑马随着他父亲的轿，忽见宝玉的小厮跑来，请他去打尖。秦钟看时，只见凤姐儿的车往北而去，后面拉着宝玉的马，搭着鞍笼，便知宝玉同凤姐坐车，自己也便带马赶上去，同入一庄门内。早有家人将众庄汉撵尽。那庄农人家无多房舍，婆娘们无处回避，只得由他们去了。那些村姑庄妇见了凤姐，宝玉，秦钟的人品衣服，礼数款段，岂有不爱看的？
一时凤姐进入茅堂，因命宝玉等先出去顽顽。宝玉等会意，因同秦钟出来，带着小厮们各处游顽。凡庄农动用之物，皆不曾见过。宝玉一见了锹，镢，锄，犁等物，皆以为奇，不知何项所使，其名为何。小厮在旁一一的告诉了名色，说明原委。宝玉听了，因点头叹道：“怪道古人诗上说，‘谁知盘中餐，粒粒皆辛苦’，正为此也。”一面说，一面又至一间房前，只见炕上有个纺车，宝玉又问小厮们：“这又是什么？"小厮们又告诉他原委。宝玉听说，便上来拧转作耍，自为有趣。只见一个约有十七八岁的村庄丫头跑了来乱嚷：“别动坏了！"众小厮忙断喝拦阻。宝玉忙丢开手，陪笑说道：“我因为没见过这个，所以试他一试。”那丫头道：“你们那里会弄这个，站开了，我纺与你瞧。”秦钟暗拉宝玉笑道：“此卿大有意趣。”宝玉一把推开，笑道：“该死的！再胡说，我就打了。”说着，只见那丫头纺起线来。宝玉正要说话时，只听那边老婆子叫道：“二丫头，快过来！"那丫头听见，丢下纺车，一径去了。
宝玉怅然无趣。只见凤姐儿打发人来叫他两个进去。凤姐洗了手，换衣服抖灰，问他们换不换。宝玉不换，只得罢了。家下仆妇们将带着行路的茶壶茶杯，十锦屉盒，各样小食端来，凤姐等吃过茶，待他们收拾完毕，便起身上车。外面旺儿预备下赏封，赏了本村主人。庄妇等来叩赏。凤姐并不在意，宝玉却留心看时，内中并无二丫头。一时上了车，出来走不多远，只见迎头二丫头怀里抱着他小兄弟，同着几个小女孩子说笑而来。宝玉恨不得下车跟了他去，料是众人不依的，少不得以目相送，争奈车轻马快，一时展眼无踪。
走不多时，仍又跟上大殡了。早有前面法鼓金铙，幢幡宝盖：铁槛寺接灵众僧齐至。少时到入寺中，另演佛事，重设香坛。安灵于内殿偏室之中，宝珠安于里寝室相伴。外面贾珍款待一应亲友，也有扰饭的，也有不吃饭而辞的，一应谢过乏，从公侯伯子男一起一起的散去，至未末时分方才散尽了。里面的堂客皆是凤姐张罗接待，先从显官诰命散起，也到晌午大错时方散尽了。只有几个亲戚是至近的，等做过三日安灵道场方去。那时邢，王二夫人知凤姐必不能来家，也便就要进城。王夫人要带宝玉去，宝玉乍到郊外，那里肯回去，只要跟凤姐住着。王夫人无法，只得交与凤姐便回来了。原来这铁槛寺原是宁荣二公当日修造，现今还是有香火地亩布施，以备京中老了人口，在此便宜寄放。其中阴阳两宅俱已预备妥贴，好为送灵人口寄居。不想如今后辈人口繁盛，其中贫富不一，或性情参商：有那家业艰难安分的，便住在这里了，有那尚排场有钱势的，只说这里不方便，一定另外或村庄或尼庵寻个下处，为事毕宴退之所。即今秦氏之丧，族中诸人皆权在铁槛寺下榻，独有凤姐嫌不方便，因而早遣人来和馒头庵的姑子净虚说了，腾出两间房子来作下处。原来这馒头庵就是水月庵，因他庙里做的馒头好，就起了这个浑号，离铁槛寺不远。当下和尚工课已完，奠过茶饭，贾珍便命贾蓉请凤姐歇息。凤姐见还有几个妯娌陪着女亲，自己便辞了众人，带了宝玉，秦钟往水月庵来。原来秦业年迈多病，不能在此，只命秦钟等待安灵罢了。那秦钟便只跟着凤姐，宝玉，一时到了水月庵，净虚带领智善，智能两个徒弟出来迎接，大家见过。凤姐等来至净室更衣净手毕，因见智能儿越发长高了，模样儿越发出息了，因说道：“你们师徒怎么这些日子也不往我们那里去？"净虚道：“可是这几天都没工夫，因胡老爷府里产了公子，太太送了十两银子来这里，叫请几位师父念三日《血盆经》，忙的没个空儿，就没来请奶奶的安。”不言老尼陪着凤姐。且说秦钟，宝玉二人正在殿上顽耍，因见智能过来，宝玉笑道：“能儿来了。”秦钟道：“理那东西作什么？"宝玉笑道：“你别弄鬼，那一日在老太太屋里，一个人没有，你搂着他作什么？这会子还哄我。”秦钟笑道：“这可是没有的话。”宝玉笑道：“有没有也不管你，你只叫住他倒碗茶来我吃，就丢开手。”秦钟笑道：“这又奇了，你叫他倒去，还怕他不倒？何必要我说呢。”宝玉道：“我叫他倒的是无情意的，不及你叫他倒的是有情意的。”秦钟只得说道：“能儿，倒碗茶来给我。”那智能儿自幼在荣府走动，无人不识，因常与宝玉秦钟顽笑。他如今大了，渐知风月，便看上了秦钟人物风流，那秦钟也极爱他妍媚，二人虽未上手，却已情投意合了。今智能见了秦钟，心眼俱开，走去倒了茶来。秦钟笑道：“给我。”宝玉叫：“给我！"智能儿抿嘴笑道：“一碗茶也争，我难道手里有蜜！"宝玉先抢得了，吃着，方要问话，只见智善来叫智能去摆茶碟子，一时来请他两个去吃茶果点心。他两个那里吃这些东西，坐一坐仍出来顽耍。
凤姐也略坐片时，便回至净室歇息，老尼相送。此时众婆娘媳妇见无事，都陆续散了，自去歇息，跟前不过几个心腹常侍小婢，老尼便趁机说道：“我正有一事，要到府里求太太，先请奶奶一个示下。”凤姐因问何事。老尼道：“阿弥陀佛！只因当日我先在长安县内善才庵内出家的时节，那时有个施主姓张，是大财主。他有个女儿小名金哥，那年都往我庙里来进香，不想遇见了长安府府太爷的小舅子李衙内。那李衙内一心看上，要娶金哥，打发人来求亲，不想金哥已受了原任长安守备的公子的聘定。张家若退亲，又怕守备不依，因此说已有了人家。谁知李公子执意不依，定要娶他女儿，张家正无计策，两处为难。不想守备家听了此言，也不管青红皂白，便来作践辱骂，说一个女儿许几家，偏不许退定礼，就打官司告状起来。那张家急了，只得着人上京来寻门路，赌气偏要退定礼。我想如今长安节度云老爷与府上最契，可以求太太与老爷说声，打发一封书去，求云老爷和那守备说一声，不怕那守备不依。若是肯行，张家连倾家孝顺也都情愿。”
凤姐听了笑道：“这事倒不大，只是太太再不管这样的事。”老尼道：“太太不管，奶奶也可以主张了。”凤姐听说笑道：“我也不等银子使，也不做这样的事。”净虚听了，打去妄想，半晌叹道：“虽如此说，张家已知我来求府里，如今不管这事，张家不知道没工夫管这事，不希罕他的谢礼，倒象府里连这点子手段也没有的一般。”
凤姐听了这话，便发了兴头，说道：“你是素日知道我的，从来不信什么是阴司地狱报应的，凭是什么事，我说要行就行。你叫他拿三千银子来，我就替他出这口气。”老尼听说，喜不自禁，忙说：“有，有！这个不难。”凤姐又道：“我比不得他们扯篷拉牵的图银子。这三千银子，不过是给打发说去的小厮作盘缠，使他赚几个辛苦钱，我一个钱也不要他的。便是三万两，我此刻也拿的出来。”老尼连忙答应，又说道：“既如此，奶奶明日就开恩也罢了。”凤姐道：“你瞧瞧我忙的，那一处少了我？既应了你，自然快快的了结。”老尼道：“这点子事，在别人的跟前就忙的不知怎么样，若是奶奶的跟前，再添上些也不够奶奶一发挥的。只是俗语说的，‘能者多劳’，太太因大小事见奶奶妥贴，越性都推给奶奶了，奶奶也要保重金体才是。”一路话奉承的凤姐越发受用，也不顾劳乏，更攀谈起来。
谁想秦钟趁黑无人，来寻智能。刚至后面房中，只见智能独在房中洗茶碗，秦钟跑来便搂着亲嘴。智能急的跺脚说：“这算什么！再这么我就叫唤。”秦钟求道：“好人，我已急死了。你今儿再不依，我就死在这里。”智能道：“你想怎样？除非等我出了这牢坑，离了这些人，才依你。”秦钟道：“这也容易，只是远水救不得近渴。”说着，一口吹了灯，满屋漆黑，将智能抱到炕上，就云雨起来。那智能百般的挣挫不起，又不好叫的，少不得依他了。正在得趣，只见一人进来，将他二人按住，也不则声。二人不知是谁，唬的不敢动一动。只听那人嗤的一声，掌不住笑了，二人听声方知是宝玉。秦钟连忙起来，抱怨道：“这算什么？"宝玉笑道：“你倒不依，咱们就叫喊起来。”羞的智能趁黑地跑了。宝玉拉了秦钟出来道：“你可还和我强？"秦钟笑道：“好人，你只别嚷的众人知道，你要怎样我都依你。”宝玉笑道：“这会子也不用说，等一会睡下，再细细的算帐。”一时宽衣安歇的时节，凤姐在里间，秦钟宝玉在外间，满地下皆是家下婆子，打铺坐更。凤姐因怕通灵玉失落，便等宝玉睡下，命人拿来在自己枕边。宝玉不知与秦钟算何帐目，未见真切，未曾记得，此是疑案，不敢纂创。
一宿无话。至次日一早，便有贾母王夫人打发了人来看宝玉，又命多穿两件衣服，无事宁可回去。宝玉那里肯回去，又有秦钟恋着智能，调唆宝玉求凤姐再住一天。凤姐想了一想：凡丧仪大事虽妥，还有一半点小事未曾安插，可以指此再住一日，岂不又在贾珍跟前送了满情，二则又可以完净虚那事，三则顺了宝玉的心，贾母听见，岂不欢喜？因有此三益，便向宝玉道：“我的事都完了，你要在这里逛，少不得越性辛苦一日罢了，明儿可是定要走的了。”宝玉听说，千姐姐万姐姐的央求：“只住一日，明儿必回去的。”于是又住了一夜。
凤姐便命悄悄将昨日老尼之事，说与来旺儿。来旺儿心中俱已明白，急忙进城找着主文的相公，假托贾琏所嘱，修书一封，连夜往长安县来，不过百里路程，两日工夫俱已妥协。那节度使名唤云光，久见贾府之情，这点小事，岂有不允之理，给了回书，旺儿回来。且不在话下。
却说凤姐等又过一日，次日方别了老尼，着他三日后往府里去讨信。那秦钟与智能百般不忍分离，背地里多少幽期密约，俱不用细述，只得含恨而别。凤姐又到铁槛寺中照望一番。宝珠执意不肯回家，贾珍只得派妇女相伴。后回再见。
Lady Peng, nee Wang, exercises her authority in the Iron Fence Temple. Ch'in Ching-ch'ing (Ch'ing Chung) amuses himself in the Man-t'ou (Bread) nunnery.
But we shall now resume our story. When Pao-yue raised his eyes, he noticed that Shih Jung, Prince of Pei Ching, wore on his head a princely cap with pure white tassels and silvery feathers, that he was appareled in a white ceremonial robe, (with a pattern representing) the toothlike ripple of a river and the waters of the sea, embroidered with five-clawed dragons; and that he was girded with a red leather belt, inlaid with white jade. That his face was like a beauteous gem; that his eyes were like sparkling stars; and that he was, in very truth, a human being full of graceful charms.
Pao-yue hastily pressed forward and made a reverent obeisance, and Shih Jung lost no time in extending his arms from inside the sedan-chair, and embracing him. At a glance, he saw that Pao-yue had on his head a silver cap, to which the hair was attached, that he had, round his forehead, a flap on which were embroidered a couple of dragons issuing from the sea, that he wore a white archery-sleeved robe, ornamented with dragons, and that his waist was encircled by a silver belt, inlaid with pearls; that his face resembled vernal flowers and that his eyes were like drops of lacquer.
Shih Jung smiled. "Your name is," he said, "no trumped-up story; for you, verily, resemble a precious gem; but where's the valuable trinket you had in your mouth?" he inquired.
As soon as Pao-yue heard this inquiry, he hastened to produce the jade from inside his clothes and to hand it over to Shih Jung. Shih Jung minutely examined it; and having also read the motto on it, he consequently ascertained whether it was really efficacious or not.
"It's true that it's said to be," Pao-yue promptly explained, "but it hasn't yet been put to the test."
Shih Jung extolled it with unbounded praise, and, as he did so, he set the variegated tassels in proper order, and, with his own hands, attached it on to Pao-yue's neck. Taking also his hand in his, he inquired of Pao-yue what was his age? and what books he was reading at present, to each of which questions Pao-yue gave suitable answer.
Shih Jung perceiving the perspicacity of his speech and the propriety of his utterances, simultaneously turned towards Chia Chen and observed with a smile on his face: "Your worthy son is, in very truth, like the young of a dragon or like the nestling of a phoenix! and this isn't an idle compliment which I, a despicable prince, utter in your venerable presence! But how much more glorious will be, in the future, the voice of the young phoenix than that of the old phoenix, it isn't easy to ascertain."
Chia Chen forced a smile: "My cur-like son," he replied, "cannot presume to such bountiful praise and golden commendation; but if, by the virtue of your Highness' excess of happiness, he does indeed realise your words, he will be a source of joy to us all!"
"There's one thing, however," continued Shih Jung; "with the excellent abilities which your worthy scion possesses, he's sure, I presume, to be extremely loved by her dowager ladyship, (his grandmother), and by all classes. But for young men of our age it's a great drawback to be doated upon, for with over-fondness, we cannot help utterly frustrating the benefits of education. When I, a despicable prince, was young, I walked in this very track, and I presume that your honourable son cannot likewise but do the same. By remaining at home, your worthy scion will find it difficult to devote his attention to study; and he will not reap any harm, were he to come, at frequent intervals, to my humble home; for though my deserts be small, I nevertheless enjoy the great honour of the acquaintance of all the scholars of note in the Empire, so that, whenever any of them visit the capital, not one of them is there who does not lower his blue eyes upon me. Hence it is that in my mean abode, eminent worthies rendezvous; and were your esteemed son to come, as often as he can, and converse with them and meet them, his knowledge would, in that case, have every opportunity of making daily strides towards improvement."
Chia Chen speedily bent his body and expressed his acquiescence, by way of reply; whereupon Shih Jung went further, and taking off from his wrist a chaplet of pearls, he presented it to Pao-yue.
"This is the first time we meet," he observed. "Our meeting was so unexpected that I have no suitable congratulatory present to offer you. This was conferred upon me by His Majesty, and is a string of chaplet-pearls, scented with Ling Ling, which will serve as a temporary token of respectful congratulations."
Pao-yue hastened to receive it from his hands, and turning round, he reverently presented it to Chia Chen. Chia Chen and Pao-yue jointly returned thanks; and forthwith Chia She, Chia Chen and the rest came forward in a body, and requested the Prince to turn his chair homewards.
"The departed," expostulated Shih Jung, "has already ascended the spiritual regions, and is no more a mortal being in this dusty world exposed to vicissitude like you and I. Although a mean prince like me has been the recipient of the favour of the Emperor, and has undeservedly been called to the princely inheritance, how could I presume to go before the spiritual hearse and return home?"
Chia She and the others, perceiving how persistent he was in his refusal had no course but to take their leave, express their sense of gratitude and to rejoin the cortege. They issued orders to their servants to stop the band, and to hush the music, and making the procession go by, they at length left the way clear for Shih Jung to prosecute his way.
But we will now leave him and resume our account of the funeral of the Ning mansion. All along its course the road was plunged in unusual commotion. As soon as they reached the city gates Chia She, Chia Cheng, Chia Chen, and the others again received donations from all their fellow officers and subordinates, in sacrificial sheds erected by their respective families, and after they returned thanks to one after another, they eventually issued from the city walls, and proceeded eventually along the highway, in the direction of the Temple of the Iron Fence.
Chia Chen, at this time, went, together with Chia Jung, up to all their seniors, and pressed them to get into their sedan chairs, and to ride their horses; and Chia She and all of the same age as himself were consequently induced to mount into their respective carriages or chairs. Chia Chen and those of the same generation were likewise about to ride their horses, when lady Feng, through her solicitude on Pao-yue's account, gave way to fears lest now that they had reached the open country, he should do as he pleased, and not listen to the words of any of the household, and lest Chia Chen should not be able to keep him in check; and, as she dreaded that he might go astray, she felt compelled to bid a youth call him to her; and Pao-yue had no help but to appear before her curricle.
"My dear brother," lady Feng remarked smiling, "you are a respectable person, and like a girl in your ways, and shouldn't imitate those monkeys on horseback! do get down and let both you and I sit together in this carriage; and won't that be nice?"
At these words, Pao-yue readily dismounted and climbed up into the carriage occupied by lady Feng; and they both talked and laughed, as they continued their way.
But not a long time elapsed before two men, on horseback, were seen approaching from the opposite direction. Coming straight up to lady Feng's vehicle they dismounted, and said, as they leaned on the sides of her carriage, "There's a halting place here, and will it not please your ladyship to have a rest and change?"
Lady Feng directed them to ask the two ladies Hsing and Wang what they would like to do, and the two men explained: "These ladies have signified that they had no desire to rest, and they wish your ladyship to suit your convenience."
Lady Feng speedily issued orders that they should have a rest, before they prosecuted their way, and the servant youth led the harnessed horses through the crowd of people and came towards the north, while Pao-yue, from inside the carriage, urgently asked that Mr. Ch'in should be requested to come.
Ch'in Chung was at this moment on horseback following in the track of his father's carriage, when unexpectedly he caught sight of Pao-yue's page, come at a running pace and invite him to have some refreshment. Ch'in Chung perceived from a distance that the horse, which Pao-yue had been riding, walked behind lady Feng's vehicle, as it went towards the north, with its saddle and bridles all piled up, and readily concluding that Pao-yue must be in the same carriage with that lady, he too turned his horse and came over in haste and entered, in their company, the door of a farm-house.
This dwelling of the farmer's did not contain many rooms so that the women and girls had nowhere to get out of the way; and when the village lasses and country women perceived the bearing and costumes of lady Feng, Pao-yue, and Ch'in Chung, they were inclined to suspect that celestial beings had descended into the world.
Lady Feng entered a thatched house, and, in the first place, asked Pao-yue and the rest to go out and play. Pao-yue took the hint, and, along with Ch'in Chung, he led off the servant boys and went to romp all over the place.
The various articles in use among the farmers they had not seen before, with the result that after Pao-yue had inspected them, he thought them all very strange; but he could neither make out their names nor their uses. But among the servant boys, there were those who knew, and they explained to them, one after another, what they were called, as well as what they were for. As Pao-yue, after this explanation, nodded his head; "It isn't strange," he said, "that an old writer has this line in his poetical works, 'Who can realise that the food in a bowl is, grain by grain, all the fruit of labour.' This is indeed so!" As he spoke, they had come into another house; and at the sight of a spinning wheel on a stove-bed, they thought it still more strange and wonderful, but the servant boys again told them that it was used for spinning the yarn to weave cloth with, and Pao-yue speedily jumping on to the stove-bed, set to work turning the wheel for the sake of fun, when a village lass of about seventeen or eighteen years of age came forward, and asked them not to meddle with it and spoil it.
The servant boys promptly stopped her interference; but Pao-yue himself desisted, as he added: "It's because I hadn't seen one before that I came to try it for fun."
"You people can't do it," rejoined the lass, "let me turn it for you to see."
Ch'in Chung secretly pulled Pao-yue and remarked, "It's great fun in this village!" but Pao-yue gave him a nudge and observed, "If you talk nonsense again, I'll beat you." Watching intently, as he uttered these words, the village girl who started reeling the thread, and presented, in very truth, a pretty sight. But suddenly an old woman from the other side gave a shout. "My girl Secunda, come over at once;" and the lass discarded the spinning-wheel and hastily went on her way.
Pao-yue was the while feeling disappointed and unhappy, when he espied a servant, whom lady Feng had sent, come and call them both in. Lady Feng had washed her hands and changed her costume; and asked him whether he would change or not, and Pao-yue, having replied "No! it doesn't matter after all if I don't change," the female attendants served tea, cakes and fruits and also poured the scented tea. Lady Feng and the others drank their tea, and waiting until they had put the various articles by, and made all the preparations, they promptly started to get into their carriages. Outside, Wang Erh had got ready tips and gave them to the people of the farm, and the farm women and all the inmates went up to them to express their gratitude; but when Pao-yue came to look carefully, he failed to see anything of the lass who had reeled the thread. But they had not gone far before they caught sight of this girl Secunda coming along with a small child in her arms, who, they concluded, was her young brother, laughing and chatting, in company with a few young girls.
Pao-yue could not suppress the voice of love, but being seated in the carriage, he was compelled to satisfy himself by following her with his eyes. Soon however the vehicle sped on as rapidly as a cloud impelled by the wind, so that when he turned his head round, there was already no vestige to be seen of her; but, while they were bandying words, they had unexpectedly overtaken the great concourse of the cortege.
Likewise, at an early stage men were stationed ahead, with Buddhist drums and gold cymbals, with streamers, and jewelled coverings; and the whole company of bonzes, belonging to the Iron Fence Temple, had already been drawn out in a line by the sides of the road. In a short while, they reached the interior of the temple, where additional sacrifices were offered and Buddhistic services performed; and where altars had again been erected to burn incense on. The coffin was deposited in a side room of the inner court; and Pao Chu got ready a bed-room in which she could keep her watch.
In the outer apartments, Chia Chen did the honours among the whole party of relatives and friends, some of whom asked to be allowed to stay for their meals, while others at this stage took their leave. And after they had one by one returned thanks, the dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts and barons, each in respective batches, (got up to go,) and they kept on leaving from between 1 and 3 p.m. before they had finally all dispersed.
In the inner Chambers, the ladies were solely entertained and attended to by lady Feng. First to make a move were the consorts of officials; and noon had also come, by the time the whole party of them had taken their departure. Those that remained were simply a few relatives of the same clan and others like them, who eventually left after the completion of the three days' rationalistic liturgies.
The two ladies Hsing and Wang, well aware at this time that lady Feng could on no account return home, desired to enter the city at once; and madame Wang wanted to take Pao-yue home; but Pao-yue, who had, on an unexpected occasion, come out into the country, entertained, of course, no wish to go back; and he would agree to nothing else than to stay behind with lady Feng, so that madame Wang had no alternative but to hand him over to her charge and to start.
This Temple of the Iron Fence had, in fact, been erected in days gone by, at the expense of the two dukes Ning and Jung; and there still remained up to these days, acres of land, from which were derived the funds for incense and lights for such occasions, on which the coffins of any members, old or young, (who died) in the capital, had to be deposited in this temple; and the inner and outer houses, in this compound were all kept in readiness and good order, for the accommodation of those who formed part of the cortege.
At this time, as it happened, the descendants mustered an immense crowd, and among them were poor and rich of various degrees, or with likes and dislikes diametrically opposed. There were those, who, being in straitened circumstances at home, and easily contented, readily took up their quarters in the temple. And there were those with money and position, and with extravagant ideas, who maintained that the accommodation in the temple was not suitable, and, of course, went in search of additional quarters, either in country houses, or in convents, where they could have their meals and retire, after the ceremonies were over.
On the occasion of Mrs. Ch'in's funeral, all the members of the clan put up temporarily in the Iron Fence Temple; lady Feng alone looked down upon it as inconvenient, and consequently despatched a servant to go and tell Ch'ing Hsue, a nun in the Bread Convent, to empty two rooms for her to go and live in.
This Bread Convent had at one time been styled the Shui Yueh nunnery (water moon); but as good bread was made in that temple, it gave rise to this nickname.
This convent was not very distant from the Temple of the Iron Fence, so that as soon as the bonzes brought their functions to a close, and the sacrifice of evening was offered, Chia Chen asked Chia Jung to request lady Feng to retire to rest; and as lady Feng perceived that there still remained several sisters-in-law to keep company to the female relatives, she readily, of her own accord, took leave of the whole party, and, along with Pao-yue and Ch'in Chung, came to the Water Moon Convent.
Ch'in Yeh, it must be noticed, was advanced in years and a victim to many ailments, so that he was unable to remain in the temple long, and he bade Ch'in Chung tarry until the coffin had been set in its resting place, with the result that Ch'in Chung came along, at the same time as lady Feng and Pao-yue, to the Water Moon Convent, where Ch'ing Hsue appeared, together with two neophytes, Chih Shan and Chih Neng, to receive them. After they had exchanged greetings, lady Feng and the others entered the "chaste" apartments to change their clothes and wash their hands; and when they had done, as she perceived how much taller in stature Chih Neng had grown and how much handsomer were her features, she felt prompted to inquire, "How is it that your prioress and yourselves haven't been all these days as far as our place?"
"It's because during these days we haven't had any time which we could call our own," explained Ch'ing Hsue. "Owing to the birth of a son in Mr. Hu's mansion, dame Hu sent over about ten taels and asked that we should invite several head-nuns to read during three days the service for the churching of women, with the result that we've been so very busy and had so little leisure, that we couldn't come over to pay our respects to your ladyship."
But leaving aside the old nun, who kept lady Feng company, we will now return to the two lads Pao-yue and Ch'in Chung. They were up to their pranks in the main building of the convent, when seeing Chih Neng come over: "Here's Neng Erh," Pao-yue exclaimed with a smile.
"Why notice a creature like her?" remarked Ch'in Chung; to which Pao-yue rejoined laughingly: "Don't be sly! why then did you the other day, when you were in the old lady's rooms, and there was not a soul present, hold her in your arms? and do you want to fool me now ?"
"There was nothing of the kind," observed Ch'in Chung smiling.
"Whether there was or not," replied Pao-yue, "doesn't concern me; but if you will stop her and tell her to pour a cup of tea and bring it to me to drink, I'll then keep hands off."
"This is indeed very strange!" Ch'in Chung answered laughing; "do you fear that if you told her to pour you one, that she wouldn't; and what need is there that I should tell her?"
"If I ask her," Pao-yue observed, "to pour it, she wouldn't be as ready as she would were you to tell her about it."
Ch'in Chung had no help but to speak. "Neng Erh!" he said, "bring a cup of tea."
This Neng Erh had, since her youth, been in and out of the Jung mansion, so that there was no one that she did not know; and she had also, time after time, romped and laughed with Pao-yue and Ch'in Chung. Being now grown up she gradually came to know the import of love, and she readily took a fancy to Ch'in Chung, who was an amorous being. Ch'in Chung too returned her affection, on account of her good looks; and, although he and she had not had any very affectionate tete-a-tetes, they had, however, long ago come to understand each other's feelings and wishes.
Chih Neng walked away and returned after having poured the tea.
"Give it to me," Ch'in Chung cried out smirkingly; while Pao-yue likewise shouted: "Give it to me."
Chih Neng compressed her lips and sneeringly rejoined, "Are you going to have a fight even over a cup of tea? Is it forsooth likely that there's honey in my hand?"
Pao-yue was the first to grasp and take over the cup, but while drinking it, he was about to make some inquiry, when he caught sight of Chih Shan, who came and called Chih Neng away to go and lay the plates with fruit on the table. Not much time elapsed before she came round to request the two lads to go and have tea and refreshments; but would they eat such things as were laid before them? They simply sat for a while and came out again and resumed their play.
Lady Feng too stayed for a few moments, and then returned, with the old nun as her escort, into the "unsullied" rooms to lie down. By this time, all the matrons and married women discovered that there was nothing else to be done, and they dispersed in succession, retiring each to rest. There only remained in attendance several young girls who enjoyed her confidence, and the old nun speedily availed herself of the opportunity to speak. "I've got something," she said, "about which I mean to go to your mansion to beg of madame Wang; but I'll first request you, my lady, to tell me how to set to work."
"What's it?" ascertained lady Feng.
"O-mi-to-fu!" exclaimed the old nun, "It's this; in days gone by, I first lived in the Ch'ang An district. When I became a nun and entered the monastery of Excellent Merit, there lived, at that time, a subscriber, Chang by surname, a very wealthy man. He had a daughter, whose infant name was Chin Ko; the whole family came in the course of that year to the convent I was in, to offer incense, and as luck would have it they met Li Ya-nei, a brother of a secondary wife of the Prefect of the Ch'ang An Prefecture. This Li Ya-nei fell in love at first sight with her, and would wed Chin Ko as his wife. He sent go-betweens to ask her in marriage, but, contrary to his expectations, Chin Ko had already received the engagement presents of the son of the ex-Major of the Ch'ang An Prefecture. The Chang family, on the other hand, were afraid that if they withdrew from the match, the Major would not give up his claim, and they therefore replied that she was already promised to another. But, who would have thought it, this Mr. Li was seriously bent upon marrying the young lady. But while the Chang family were at a loss what plan to devise, and both parties were in a dilemma, the family of the Major came unexpectedly to hear of the news; and without even looking thoroughly into the matter, they there and then had recourse to insult and abuse. 'Is a girl,' they insinuated, 'to be promised to the sons of several families!' And obstinately refusing to allow the restitution of the betrothal presents, they at once had recourse to litigation and brought an action (against the girl's people.) That family was at their wits' end, and had no alternative but to find some one to go to the capital to obtain means of assistance; and, losing all patience, they insisted upon the return of the presents. I believe that the present commander of the troops at Ch'ang An, Mr. Yuen, is on friendly terms with your honourable family, and could one solicit madame Wang to put in a word with Mr. Chia Cheng to send a letter and ask Mr. Yuen to speak to that Major, I have no fear that he will not agree. Should (your ladyship) be willing to take action, the Chang family are even ready to present all they have, though it may entail the ruin of their estate."
"This affair is, it's true, of no great moment," lady Feng replied smiling, after hearing this appeal; "but the only thing is that madame Wang does no longer attend to matters of this nature."
"If madame doesn't heed them," suggested the old nun, "you, my lady, can safely assume the direction."
"I'm neither in need of any money to spend," added lady Feng with a smirk, "nor do I undertake such matters!"
These words did not escape Ching Hsue's ear; they scattered to the winds her vain hopes. After a minute or so she heaved a sigh.
"What you say may be true enough," she remarked; "but the Chang family are also aware that I mean to come and make my appeal to your mansion; and were you now not to manage this affair, the Chang family having no idea that the lack of time prevents any steps being taken and that no importance is attached to their presents, it will appear, on the contrary, as if there were not even this little particle of skill in your household."
At these words lady Feng felt at once inspirited. "You've known of old," she added, "that I've never had any faith in anything concerning retribution in the Court of Judgment in the unseen or in hell; and that whatever I say that I shall do, that I do; tell them therefore to bring three thousand taels; and I shall then remedy this grievance of theirs."
The old nun upon hearing this remark was so exceedingly delighted, that she precipitately exclaimed, "They've got it, they've got it! there will be no difficulty about it."
"I'm not," lady Feng went on to add, "like those people, who afford help and render assistance with an eye to money; these three thousand taels will be exclusively devoted for the travelling expenses of those youths, who will be sent to deliver messages and for them to make a few cash for their trouble; but as for me I don't want even so much as a cash. In fact I'm able at this very moment to produce as much as thirty thousand taels."
The old nun assented with alacrity, and said by way of reply, "If that be so, my lady, do display your charitable bounty at once to-morrow and bring things to an end."
"Just see," remarked lady Feng, "how hard pressed I am; which place can do without me? but since I've given you my word, I shall, needless to say, speedily bring the matter to a close."
"A small trifle like this," hinted the old nun, "would, if placed in the hands of any one else, flurry her to such an extent that she would be quite at a loss what to do; but in your hands, my lady, even if much more were superadded, it wouldn't require as much exertion as a wave of your hand. But the proverb well says: 'that those who are able have much to do;' for madame Wang, seeing that your ladyship manages all concerns, whether large or small, properly, has still more shoved the burden of everything on your shoulders, my lady; but you should, it's but right, also take good care of your precious health."
This string of flattery pleased lady Feng more and more, so that heedless of fatigue she went on to chat with still greater zest.
But, thing unthought of, Ch'in Chung availed himself of the darkness, as well as of the absence of any one about, to come in quest of Chih Neng. As soon as he reached the room at the back, he espied Chih Neng all alone inside washing the tea cups; and Ch'in Chung forthwith seized her in his arms and implanted kisses on her cheek. Chih Neng got in a dreadful state, and stamping her feet, cried, "What are you up to?" and she was just on the point of shouting out, when Ch'in Chung rejoined: "My dear girl! I'm nearly dead from impatience, and if you don't again to-day accept my advances, I shall this very moment die on this spot."
"What you're bent upon," added Chih Neng, "can't be effected; not unless you wait until I've left this den and parted company from these people, when it will be safe enough."
"This is of course easy enough!" remonstrated Ch'in Chung; "but the distant water cannot extinguish the close fire!"
As he spoke, with one puff, he put out the light, plunging the whole room in pitch darkness; and seizing Chih Neng, he pushed her on to the stove-couch and started a violent love affair. Chih Neng could not, though she strained every nerve, escape his importunities; nor could she very well shout, so that she felt compelled to humour him; but while he was in the midst of his ecstatic joy, they perceived a person walk in, who pressed both of them down, without uttering even so much as a sound, and plunged them both in such a fright that their very souls flew away and their spirits wandered from their bodies; and it was after the third party had burst out laughing with a spurting sound that they eventually became aware that it was Pao-yue; when, springing to his feet impetuously, Ch'in Chung exclaimed full of resentment, "What's this that you're up to!"
"If you get your monkey up," retorted Pao-yue, "why, then let you and I start bawling out;" which so abashed Chih Neng that she availed herself of the gloomy light to make her escape; while Pao-yue had dragged Ch'in Chung out of the room and asked, "Now then, do you still want to play the bully!"
"My dear fellow," pleaded Ch'in Chung smilingly, "whatever you do don't shout out and let every one know; and all you want, I'll agree to."
"We needn't argue just now," Pao-yue observed with a grin; "wait a while, and when all have gone to sleep, we can minutely settle accounts together."
Soon it was time to ease their clothes, and go to bed; and lady Feng occupied the inner room; Ch'in Chung and Pao-yue the outer; while the whole ground was covered with matrons of the household, who had spread their bedding, and sat watching. As lady Feng entertained fears that the jade of Spiritual Perception might be lost, she waited until Pao-yue fell asleep, when having directed a servant to bring it to her, she placed it under the side of her own pillow.
What accounts Pao-yue settled with Ch'in Chung cannot be ascertained; and as in the absence of any positive proof what is known is based upon surmises, we shall not venture to place it on record.
Nothing worth noticing occurred the whole night; but the next day, as soon as the morning dawned, dowager lady Chia and madame Wang promptly despatched servants to come and see how Pao-yue was getting on; and to tell him likewise to put on two pieces of extra clothing, and that if there was nothing to be done it would be better for him to go back.
But was it likely that Pao-yue would be willing to go back? Besides Ch'in Chung, in his inordinate passion for Chih Neng, instigated Pao-yue to entreat lady Feng to remain another day. Lady Feng pondered in her own mind that, although the most important matters connected with the funeral ceremonies had been settled satisfactorily, there were still a few minor details, for which no provision had been made, so that could she avail herself of this excuse to remain another day would she not win from Chia Chen a greater degree of approbation, in the second place, would she not be able further to bring Ch'ing Hsue's business to an issue, and, in the third place, to humour Pao-yue's wish? In view of these three advantages, which would accrue, "All that I had to do, I have done," she readily signified to Pao-yue, "and if you be bent upon running about in here, you'll unavoidably place me in still greater trouble; so that we must for certain start homewards to-morrow."
"My dear cousin, my own dear cousin," urgently entreated Pao-yue, when he heard these words, "let's stay only this one day, and to-morrow we can go back without fail."
They actually spent another night there, and lady Feng availed herself of their stay to give directions that the case which had been entrusted to her the previous day by the old nun should be secretly communicated to Lai Wang Erh. Lai Wang's mind grasped the import of all that was said to him, and, having entered the city with all despatch, he went in search of the gentleman, who acted as secretary (in Mr. Yuen's office), pretending that he had been directed by Mr. Chia Lien to come and ask him to write a letter and to send it that very night to the Ch'ang An magistrate. The distance amounted to no more than one hundred li, so that in the space of two days everything was brought to a satisfactory settlement. The general, whose name was Yuen Kuang, had been for a long time under obligations to the Chia family, so that he naturally could not refuse his co-operation in such small trifles. When he had handed his reply, Wang Erh started on his way back; where we shall leave him and return to lady Feng.
Having spent another day, she on the morrow took leave of the old nun, whom she advised to come to the mansion after the expiry of three days to fetch a reply.
Ch'in Chung and Chih Neng could not, by any means, brook the separation, and they secretly agreed to a clandestine assignation; but to these details we need not allude with any minuteness; sufficient to say that they had no alternative but to bear the anguish and to part.
Lady Feng crossed over again to the temple of the Iron Fence and ascertained how things were progressing. But as Pao Chu was obstinate in her refusal to return home, Chia Chen found himself under the necessity of selecting a few servants to act as her companions. But the reader must listen to what is said in the next chapter by way of explanation.
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