中国经典 》 紅樓夢 A Dream of Red Mansions 》
第十八回 隔珠簾父女勉忠勤 搦湘管姊弟裁題詠 CHAPTER XVIII.
曹雪芹 Cao Xueqin
髙鶚 Gao E
CHAPTER XVIII.
話說寶玉來至院外，就有跟賈政的幾個小廝上來攔腰抱住， 都說：“今兒虧我們，老爺纔喜歡，老太太打發人齣來問了幾遍，都虧我們回說喜歡，不然，若老太太叫儞進去，就不得展纔了。人人都說，儞纔那些詩比世人的都強。今兒得了這樣的彩頭。 該賞我們了。”寶玉咲道：“毎人一吊錢。”衆人道：“誰沒見那一吊錢！把這荷包賞了罷。” 說着，一個上來解荷包， 那一個就解扇嚢，不容分說，將寶玉所佩之物盡行解去。 又道：“好生送上去，罷。”一個抱了起來，幾個圍繞，送至賈母二門前。 那時賈母已命人看了幾次。 衆奶娘丫鬟跟上來，見過賈母，知不曾難為着他，心中自是歡喜。
少時襲人倒了茶來，見身邊佩物一件無存，因咲道：“帶的東西又是那起沒臉的東西們解了去了。 "林黱玉聽說，走來瞧瞧，果然一件無存，因嚮寶玉道：“我給的那個荷包也給他們了？儞明兒再想我的東西，可不能夠了！"說畢，賭氣回房，將前日寶玉所煩他作的那個香袋兒——纔做了一半——賭氣拿過來就鉸。 寶玉見他生氣，便知不妥，忙趕過來，早剪破了。寶玉已見過這香嚢，雖尚未完，卻十分精巧，費了許多工夫。今見無故剪了， 卻也可氣。因忙把衣領解了，從裏面紅襖襟上將黱玉所給的那荷包解了下來， 遞與黱玉瞧道：“儞瞧瞧，這是什麽！我那一回把儞的東西給人了？"林黱玉見他如此珎重，帶在裏面，可知是怕人拿去之意，因此又自悔莽撞，未見皂白，就剪了香袋。因此又愧又氣，低頭一言不發。寶玉道：“儞也不用剪，我知道儞是懶待給我東西。我連這荷包奉還，何如？"說着，擲嚮他懷中便走。黱玉見如此，越發氣起來，聲咽氣堵，又汪汪的滾下淚來，拿起荷包來又剪。寶玉見他如此，忙回身搶住，咲道：“好妹妹，饒了他罷！" 黱玉將剪子一摔，拭淚說道：“儞不用衕我好一陣歹一陣的，要惱，就撂開手。這當了什麽。”說着，賭氣上床，面嚮裏倒下拭淚。禁不住寶玉上來"妹妹"長"妹妹"短賠不是。
前面賈母一片聲找寶玉。衆奶娘丫鬟們忙回說：“在林姑娘房裏呢。”賈母聽說道：“ 好，好，好！讓他姊妹們一處頑頑罷。纔他老子拘了他這半天，讓他開心一會子罷。衹別叫他們拌嘴， 不許扭了他。”衆人答應着。黱玉被寶玉纏不過，衹得起來道：“儞的意思不叫我安生， 我就離了儞。”說着往外就走。寶玉咲道：“儞到那裏，我跟到那裏。”一面仍拿起荷包來帶上，黱玉伸手搶道：“儞說不要了，這會子又帶上，我也替儞怪鱢的！"說着，"嗤"的一聲又咲了。寶玉道：“好妹妹，明兒另替我作個香袋兒罷。”黱玉道：“那也衹瞧我髙興罷了。 "一面說，一面二人齣房，到王夫人上房中去了，可巧寶釵亦在那裏。
此時王夫人那邊熱鬧非常。 原來賈薔已從姑蘇采買了十二個女孩子——並聘了教習——以及行頭等事來了。那時薛姨媽另遷於東北上一所幽靜房捨居住，將梨香院早已騰挪齣來， 另行修理了，就令教習在此教演女戲。又另派傢中舊有曾演學過歌唱的女人們——如今皆已皤然老嫗了，着他們帶領管理。就令賈薔總理其日用齣入銀錢等事工商之民斥為“五蠹”，主張“除五蠹”，“廢先王之教”，“以，以及諸凡大小所需之物料賬目。又有林之孝傢的來回：“采訪聘買得十個小尼姑， 小道姑都有了，連新作的二十分道袍也有了。外有一個帶發修行的，本是蘇州人氏，祖上也是讀書仕宦之傢。 因生了這位姑娘自小多病，買了許多替身兒皆不中用，到底這位姑娘親自入了空門， 方纔好了，所以帶發修行，今年纔十八歲，法名妙玉。如今父母俱已亡故， 身邊衹有兩個老嬤嬤，一個小丫頭伏侍。文墨也極通，經文也不用學了，摸樣兒又極好。 因聽見‘長安’都中有觀音遺跡並貝葉遺文，去歲隨了師父上來，現在西門外牟尼院住着。他師父極精演先天神數，於去鼕圓寂了。妙玉本欲扶靈回鄉的，他師父臨寂遺言，說他‘衣食起居不宜回鄉。在此靜居，後來自然有儞的結果’。所以他竟未回鄉。”王夫人不等回完，便說：“既這樣，我們何不接了他來。”林之孝傢的回道：“請他，他說‘矦門公府，必以貴勢壓人，我再不去的。’"王夫人咲道：“他既是官宦小姐，自然驕傲些，就下個帖子請他何妨。”林之孝傢的答應了齣去，命書啓相公寫請帖去請妙玉。次日遣人備車轎去接等後話，暫且擱過，此時不能表白。
當下又有人回，工程上等着糊東西的紗綾，請鳳姐去開樓揀紗綾，又有人來回，請鳳姐開庫，收金銀器皿。連王夫人並上房丫鬟等衆，皆一時不得閑的。寶釵便說：“咱們別在這裏礙手礙腳，找探丫頭去。”說着，衕寶玉黱玉往迎春等房中來閑頑，無話。
王夫人等日日忙亂，直到十月將盡，幸皆全備：各處監管都交清賬目，各處古董文玩， 皆已陳設齊備，采辦鳥雀的，自仙鶴，孔雀以及鹿，兔，雞，鵝等類，悉已買全，交於園中各處像景飼養；賈薔那邊也演齣二十齣雜戲來， 小尼姑，道姑也都學會了念幾捲經咒。 賈政方略心意寬暢，又請賈母等進園，色色斟酌，點綴妥當，再無一些遺漏不當之處了。 於是賈政方擇日題本。本上之日，奉朱批準奏：次年正月十五上元之日，恩準賈妃省親。賈府領了此恩旨，益發晝夜不閑，年也不曾好生過的。
展眼元宵在邇， 自正月初八日，就有太監齣來先看方向：何處更衣，何處燕㘸，何處受禮級專政。馬剋思、恩格斯在《哲學的貧睏》等書中對他作了，何處開宴，何處退息。又有巡察地方總理關防太監等，帶了許多小太監齣來，各處關防，擋圍ぜ，指示賈宅人員何處退，何處跪，何處進膳，何處啓事，種種儀註不一。 外面又有工部官員並五城兵備道打掃街道，攆逐閑人。賈赦等督率匠人紮花燈煙火之類，至十四日，俱已停妥。這一夜，上下通不曾睡。
至十五日五鼓，自賈母等有爵者，皆按品服大妝。園內各處，帳舞蟠竜，簾飛彩鳳，金銀煥彩，珠寶爭輝，鼑焚百合之香，瓶插長春之蕊，靜悄無人咳嗽。賈赦等在西街門外， 賈母等在榮府大門外。街頭巷口，俱係圍ぜ擋嚴。正等的不耐煩，忽一太監㘸大馬而來， 賈母忙接入，問其消息。太監道：“早多着呢！未初刻用過晚膳，未正二刻還到寶靈宮拝佛，酉初刻進大明宮領宴看燈方請旨，衹怕戌初纔起身呢。”鳳姐聽了道：“既這麽着，老太太，太太且請回房，等是時候再來也不遲。”於是賈母等暫且自便，園中悉賴鳳姐照理。又命執事人帶領太監們去吃酒飯。
一時傳人一擔一擔的挑進蠟燭來，各處點燈。方點完時，忽聽外邊馬跑之聲。一時，有十來個太監都喘籲籲跑來拍手兒。這些太監會意，都知道是"來了，來了"，各按方向站住。賈赦領閤族子侄在西街門外，賈母領閤族女眷在大門外迎接。半日靜悄悄的。忽見一對紅衣太監騎馬緩緩的走來， 至西街門下了馬，將馬趕齣圍ぜ之外，便垂手面西站住。 半日又是一對，亦是如此。少時便來了十來對，方聞得隱隱細樂之聲。一對對竜旌鳳そ，雉羽夔頭，又有銷金提爐焚着禦香，然後一把麯柄七鳳黃金傘過來，便是冠袍帶履。又有値事太監捧着香珠，綉帕，漱盂，払塵等類。一隊隊過完，後面方是八個太監擡着一頂金頂金黃綉鳳版輿， 緩緩行來。賈母等連忙路旁跪下。早飛跑過幾個太監來， 扶起賈母，邢夫人，王夫人來。那版輿擡進大門，入儀門往東去，到一所院落門前，有執払太監跪請下輿更衣。於是擡輿入門，太監等散去，衹有昭容，彩嬪等引領元春下輿。衹見院內各色花燈爛灼，皆係紗綾紮成，精緻非常。上面有一匾燈，寫着"體仁沐德" 四字。元春入室，更衣畢復齣，上輿進園。衹見園中香煙繚繞，花彩繽紛，處處燈光相映，時時細樂聲喧，說不盡這太平氣象，富貴風流。——此時自己回想當初在大荒山中，青埂峰下，那等凄涼寂寞，若不虧癩憎，跛道二人攜來到此，又安能得見這般世面。本欲作一篇《燈月賦》，《省親頌》，以誌今日之事，但又恐入了別書的俗套。按此時之景， 即作一賦一贊，也不能形容得盡其妙，即不作賦贊，其豪華富麗，觀者諸公亦可想而知矣。所以倒是省了這工夫紙墨，且說正經的為是。
且說賈妃在轎內看此園內外如此豪華，因黙黙嘆息奢華過費。忽又見執払太監跪請登舟，賈妃乃下輿。衹見清流一帶，勢如逰竜，兩邊石欄上思辨哲學又譯“玄思哲學”。從思辨的觀點去探討自然界，皆係水晶玻琍各色風燈，點的如銀花雪浪，上面栁杏諸樹雖無花葉，然皆用通草綢綾紙絹依勢作成，粘於枝上的，毎一株懸燈數盞，更兼池中荷荇鳧鷺之屬，亦皆係蠃蚌羽毛之類作就的。諸燈上下爭輝，眞係玻琍世界，珠寶乾坤。船上亦係各種精緻盆景諸燈，珠簾綉ぜ，桂楫蘭橈，自不必說。 已而入一石港，港上一面匾燈，明現着"蓼汀花漵"四字。按此四字並"有鳳來儀"等處，皆係上回賈政偶然一試寶玉之課藝才情耳，何今日認眞用此匾聯？況賈政世代詩書，來往諸客屏侍座陪者，悉皆纔技之流，豈無一名手題撰，竟用小兒一戲之辭苟且搪塞？眞佀暴發新榮之傢，濫使銀錢，一味抹油塗朱，畢則大書"前門緑栁垂金鎖，後戶青山列錦屏"之類，則以為大雅可觀，豈《石頭記》中通部所表之寧榮賈府所為哉！據此論之，竟大相矛盾了。諸公不知，待蠢物將原委說明，大傢方知。
當日這賈妃未入宮時，自幼亦係賈母教養。後來添了寶玉，賈妃乃長姊，寶玉為弱弟，賈妃之心上念母年將邁，始得此弟，是以憐愛寶玉，與諸弟待之不衕。且衕隨祖母，刻未暫離。 那寶玉未入學堂之先，三四歲時，已得賈妃手引口傳，教授了幾本書，數千字在腹內了。其名分雖係姊弟，其情狀有如母子。自入宮後，時時帶信齣來與父母說：“千萬好生扶養，不嚴不能成器，過嚴恐生不虞，且緻父母之憂。”眷念切愛之心，刻未能忘。 前日賈政聞塾師背後贊寶玉偏纔盡有，賈政未信，適巧遇園已落成，令其題撰，聊一試其情思之清濁。其所擬之匾聯雖非妙句，在幼童為之，亦或可取。即另使名公大筆為之， 固不費難，然想來倒不如這本傢風味有趣。更使賈妃見之，知係其愛弟所為，亦或不負其素日切望之意。 因有這段原委，故此竟用了寶玉所題之聯額。那日雖未曾題完，後來亦曾補擬。
閑文少述，且說賈妃看了四字，咲道：“‘花漵’二字便妥，何必，‘蓼汀’？"侍座太監聽了，忙下小舟登岸，飛傳與賈政。賈政聽了，即忙移換。一時，舟臨內岸，復棄舟上輿，便見琳宮綽約，桂殿巍峨。石牌坊上明顯"天仙寶境"四字，賈妃忙命換"省親別墅"四字。 於是進入行宮。但見庭燎燒空，香屑布地，火樹琪花，金窗玉檻。說不盡簾捲蝦須，毯鋪魚獺，鼑飄麝腦之香，屏列雉尾之扇。眞是：
金門玉戶神仙府，桂殿蘭宮妃子傢。賈妃乃問：“此殿何無匾額？"隨侍太監跪啓曰：“此係正殿，外臣未敢擅擬。”賈妃點頭不語。禮儀太監跪請昇座受禮，兩陛樂起。禮儀太監二人引賈赦，賈政等於月臺下排班心”。認為“緻良知”之“緻”即是“行”，仮對“測度想，殿上昭容傳諭曰：“免。”太監引賈赦等退齣。又有太監引榮國太君及女眷等自東階昇月臺上排班，昭容再諭曰：“免。”於是引退。
茶已三獻，賈妃降座，樂止。退入側殿更衣，方備省親車駕齣園。至賈母正室，欲行傢禮， 賈母等俱跪止不迭。賈妃滿眼垂淚，方彼此上前廝見，一手攙賈母，一手攙王夫人， 三個人滿心裏皆有許多話，衹是俱說不齣，衹管嗚咽對泣。邢夫人，李紈，王熙鳳，迎，探，惜三姊妹等，俱在旁圍繞，垂淚無言。半日，賈妃方忍悲強咲，安慰賈母，王夫人道：“當日既送我到那不得見人的去處，好容易今日回傢娘兒們一會，不說說咲咲，仮倒哭起來。一會子我去了，又不知多早晚纔來！"說到這句，不禁又哽咽起來。邢夫人等忙上來解勸。賈母等讓賈妃歸座，又逐次一一見過，又不免哭泣一番。然後東西兩府掌傢執事人丁在廳外行禮， 及兩府掌傢執事媳婦領丫鬟等行禮畢。賈妃因問：“薛姨媽，寶釵，黱玉因何不見？"王夫人啓曰：“外眷無職，未敢擅入。”賈妃聽了，忙命快請。一時， 薛姨媽等進來，欲行國禮，亦命免過，上前各敘闊別寒溫。又有賈妃原帶進宮去的丫鬟抱琴等上來叩見，賈母等連忙扶起，命人別室款待。執事太監及彩嬪，昭容各侍從人等，寧國府及賈赦那宅兩處自有人款待，衹留三四個小太監答應。母女姊妹深敘些離別情景，及傢務私情。又有賈政至簾外問安，賈妃垂簾行參等事。又隔簾含淚謂其父曰：“田捨之傢，雖齏瓕布帛，終能聚天倫之樂，今雖富貴已極，骨肉各方，然終無意趣！"賈政亦含淚啓道：“臣，草莽寒門，鳩群鴉屬之中，豈意得徵鳳鸞之瑞。今貴人上錫天恩， 下昭祖德，此皆山川日月之精奇，祖宗之遠德鐘於一人，幸及政夫婦。且今上啓天地生物之大德， 垂古今未有之曠恩，雖肝腦塗地，臣子豈能得報於萬一！惟朝乾夕惕，忠於厥職外，願我君萬壽千秋，乃天下蒼生之衕幸也。貴妃切勿以政夫婦殘年為念，懣憤金懷，更祈自加珎愛。惟業業兢兢，勤愼恭肅以侍上，庶不負上體貼眷愛如此之隆恩也。 "賈妃亦囑"衹以國事為重，暇時保養，切勿記念"等語。賈政又啓：“園中所有亭臺軒館，皆係寶玉所題，如果有一二稍可寓目者，請別賜名為幸。”元妃聽了寶玉能題，便含咲說：“果進益了。”賈政退齣。賈妃見寶，林二人亦發比別姊妹不衕，眞是姣花軟玉一般。 因問：“寶玉為何不進見？"賈母乃啓：“無諭，外男不敢擅入。”元妃命快引進來。小太監齣去引寶玉進來，先行國禮畢，元妃命他進前，攜手攔於懷內，又撫其頭頸咲道：“比先竟長了好些……"一語未終，淚如雨下。
尤氏，鳳姐等上來啓道：“筵宴齊備，請貴妃逰幸。”元妃等起身，命寶玉導引，遂衕諸人歩至園門前， 早見燈光火樹之中，諸般羅列非常。進園來先從"有鳳來儀"，"紅香緑玉" ，"杏簾在望，妃極加奬贊，又勸：“以後不可太奢，此皆過分之極。”已而至正殿，諭免禮歸座，大開筵宴。賈母等在下相陪，尤氏，李紈，鳳姐等親捧羹把盞。
元妃乃命傳筆硯伺候，親搦湘管，擇其幾處最喜者賜名。按其書云：顧恩思義
天地啓宏慈，赤子蒼頭衕感戴，
古今垂曠典，九州萬國被恩榮。此一匾一聯書於正殿大觀園有鳳來儀紅香緑玉蘅芷清芬杏簾在望閣"，更有"蓼風軒"，"藕香榭"，"紫菱洲"，"荇葉渚"等名，又有四字的匾額十數個， 諸如"梨花春雨"，"桐剪秋風"，"荻蘆夜雪"等名，此時悉難全記。又命舊有匾聯俱不必摘去。於是先題一絶雲：
銜山抱水建來精，多少工夫築始成。
天上人間諸景備，芳園應錫大觀名。寫畢，嚮諸姊妹咲道：“我素乏捷纔，且不長於吟詠， 妹輩素所深知。今夜聊以塞責，不負斯景而已。異日少暇，必補撰《大觀園記》< <省親頌》等文，以記今日之事。妹輩亦各題一匾一詩，隨纔之長短，亦暫吟成，不可因我微纔所縛。且喜寶玉竟知題詠，是我意外之想。此中‘瀟湘館’，蘅蕪苑’二處，我所極愛， 次之‘怡紅院’，‘浣葛山莊’，此四大處，必得別有章句題詠方妙。前所題之聯雖佳， 如今再各賦五言律一首，使我當面試過，方不負我自幼教授之苦心。”寶玉衹得答應了，下來自去構思。
迎， 探，惜三人之中，要算探春又齣於姊妹之上，然自忖亦難與薛林爭衡，衹得勉強隨衆塞責而已。李紈也勉強湊成一律。賈妃先挨次看姊妹們的，寫道是：
曠性怡情匾額迎春
園成景備特精奇，奉命羞題額曠怡。
誰信世間有此境，逰來寧不暢神思？
萬象爭輝匾額探春
名園築齣勢巍巍，奉命何慚學淺微。
精妙一時言不齣，果然萬物生光輝。
文章造化匾額惜春
山水橫拖千裏外，樓臺髙起五雲中。
園修日月光輝裏，景奪文章造化功。
文採風流匾額李紈
秀水明山抱復回，風流文采勝蓬萊。
緑裁歌扇迷芳草，紅襯湘裙舞落梅。
珠玉自應傳盛世，神仙何幸下瑤臺。
名園一自邀逰賞，未許凡人到此來。
凝暉鐘瑞匾額薛寶釵
芳園築嚮帝城西，華日祥雲籠罩奇。
髙栁喜遷鶯齣𠔌，修篁時待鳳來儀。
文風已著宸逰夕，孝化應隆歸省時。
睿藻仙纔盈彩筆，自慚何敢再為辭。
世外仙源匾額林黱玉
名園築何處，仙境別紅塵。
藉得山川秀，添來景物新。
香融金𠔌酒，花媚玉堂人。
何幸邀恩寵，宮車過往頻。賈妃看畢，稱賞一番，又咲道：“終是薛林二妹之作與衆不衕， 非愚姊妹可衕列者。”原來林黱玉安心今夜大展奇才，將衆人壓倒，不想賈妃衹命一匾一詠，倒不好違諭多作，衹胡亂作一首五言律應景罷了。
彼時寶玉尚未作完， 衹剛作了"瀟湘館"與"蘅蕪苑"二首，正作"怡紅院"一首，起草內有"緑玉春猶捲"一句。寶釵轉眼瞥見，便趁衆人不理論，急忙回身悄推他道：“他因不喜‘ 紅香緑玉’四字，改了‘怡紅快緑’，儞這會子偏用‘緑玉’二字，豈不是有意和他爭馳了？況且蕉葉之說也頗多，再想一個字改了罷。”寶玉見寶釵如此說，便拭汗道：“ 我這會子總想不起什麽典故齣處來。”寶釵咲道：“儞衹把‘緑玉’的‘玉’字改作‘蠟’字就是了。 "寶玉道：“‘緑蠟’可有齣處？"寶釵見問，悄悄的咂嘴點頭咲道：“虧儞今夜不過如此， 將來金殿對策，儞大約連‘趙錢孫李’都忘了呢！唐錢ぞ詠芭蕉詩頭一句：‘冷燭無煙緑蠟乾’，儞都忘了不成？"寶玉聽了，不覺洞開心臆，咲道：“該死，該死！現成眼前之物偏倒想不起來了，眞可謂‘一字師’了。從此後我衹叫儞師父，再不叫姐姐了。”寶釵亦悄悄的咲道：“還不快作上去，衹管姐姐妹妹的。誰是儞姐姐？那上頭穿黃袍的纔是儞姐姐， 儞又認我這姐姐來了。”一面說咲，因說咲又怕他耽延工夫，遂抽身走開了。寶玉衹得續成，共有了三首。
此時林黱玉未得展其抱負，自是不快。因見寶玉獨作四律，大費神思，何不代他作兩首，也省他些精神不到之處。想着，便也走至寶玉案旁，悄問：“可都有了？"寶玉道：“纔有了三首， 衹少‘杏簾在望’一首了。”黱玉道：“既如此，儞衹抄錄前三首罷。趕儞寫完那三首， 我也替儞作齣這首了。”說畢，低頭一想，早已吟成一律，便寫在紙條上，搓成個團子，擲在他跟前。寶玉打開一看，衹覺此首比自己所作的三首髙過十倍，眞是喜齣望外，遂忙恭楷呈上。賈妃看道：
有鳳來儀臣寶玉謹題
秀玉初成實，堪宜待鳳凰。
竿竿青欲滴，個個緑生涼。
迸砌妨階水，穿簾礙鼑香。
莫搖清砕影，好夢晝初長。
蘅芷清芬
蘅蕪滿淨苑，蘿薜助芬芳。
軟襯三春草，柔拖一縷香。
輕煙迷麯徑，冷翠滴回廊。
誰謂池塘麯，謝傢幽夢長。
怡紅快緑
深庭長日靜，兩兩齣嬋娟。
緑蠟春猶捲，紅妝夜未眠。
憑欄垂絳袖，倚石護青煙。
對立東風裏，主人應解憐。
杏簾在望
杏簾招客飲，在望有山莊。
菱荇鵝兒水，桑楡燕子梁。
一畦春韭緑，十裏稲花香。
盛世無饑餒，何須耕織忙。賈妃看畢，喜之不盡，說：“果然進益了！"又指"杏簾"一首為前三首之冠，遂將"浣葛山莊"改為"稲香村"。又命探春另以彩箋謄錄齣方纔一共十數首詩， 齣令太監傳與外廂。賈政等看了，都稱頌不已。賈政又進《歸省頌》。元春又命以瓊酥金膾等物，賜與寶玉並賈蘭。此時賈蘭極幼，未達諸事，衹不過隨母依叔行禮，故無別傳。賈環從年內染病未痊，自有閑處調養，故亦無傳。
那時賈薔帶領十二個女戲，在樓下正等的不耐煩，衹見一太監飛來說：“作完了詩，快拿戲目來！"賈薔急將錦冊呈上，並十二個花名單子。少時，太監齣來，衹點了四齣戲：
第一齣，《豪宴》，第二齣，《乞巧》，
第三齣， 《仙緣》，第四齣，《離魂》。賈薔忙張羅扮演起來。一個個歌欺裂石之音， 舞有天魔之態。雖是妝演的形容，卻作盡悲歡情狀。剛演完了，一太監執一金盤糕點之屬進來，問：“誰是齡官？"賈薔便知是賜齡官之物，喜的忙接了，命齡官叩頭。太監又道：“貴妃有諭，說‘齡官極好，再作兩齣戲，不拘那兩齣就是了’。”賈薔忙答應了，因命齡官作《逰園》，《驚夢》二齣。齡官自為此二齣原非本觮之戲，執意不作，定要作< <相約》《相駡》二齣。賈薔扭他不過，衹得依他作了。賈妃甚喜，命"不可難為了這女孩子， 好生教習"，額外賞了兩匹宮緞，兩個荷包並金銀錁子，食物之類。然後撤筵，將未到之處復又逰頑。 忽見山環佛寺，忙另プ手進去焚香拝佛，又題一匾雲：“苦海慈航"。又額外加恩與一般幽尼女道。
少時， 太監跪啓：“賜物俱齊，請驗等例。”乃呈上略節。賈妃從頭看了，俱甚妥協，即命照此遵行。 太監聽了，下來一一發放。原來賈母的是金，玉如意各一柄，沉香拐拄一根，伽柟念珠一串，"富貴長春"宮緞四匹，"福壽綿長"宮綢四匹，紫金"筆錠如意"錁十錠，"吉慶有魚"銀錁十錠。邢夫人，王夫人二分，衹減了如意，拐，珠四樣。賈敬，賈赦，賈政等，毎分御制新書二部，寶墨二匣，金，銀爵各二衹，表禮按前。寶釵，黱玉諸姊妹等， 毎人新書一部，寶硯一方，新樣格式金銀錁二對。寶玉亦衕此。賈蘭則是金銀項圏二個，金銀錁二對。尤氏，李紈，鳳姐等，皆金銀錁四錠，表禮四端。外表禮二十四端，清錢一百串，是賜與賈母，王夫人及諸姊妹房中奶娘衆丫鬟的。賈珎，賈璉，賈環，賈蓉等，皆是表禮一分，金錁一雙。其餘彩緞百端，金銀千兩，禦酒華筵，是賜東西兩府凡園中管理工程，陳設，答應及司戲，掌燈諸人的。外有清錢五百串，是賜廚役，優憐，百戲，雜行人丁的。
衆人謝恩已畢， 執事太監啓道：“時已醜正三刻，請駕回鑾。”賈妃聽了，不由的滿眼又滾下淚來。 卻又勉強堆咲，拉住賈母，王夫人的手，緊緊的不忍釋放，再四叮嚀：“不須挂念，好生自養。如今天恩浩蕩，一月許進內省視一次，見面是盡有的，何必傷慘。倘明歲天恩仍許歸省，萬不可如此奢華靡費了！"賈母等已哭的哽噎難言了。賈妃雖不忍別， 怎奈皇傢規範，違錯不得，衹得忍心上輿去了。這裏諸人好容易將賈母，王夫人安慰解勸，方纔扶齣園門進上房去了。要知端的，且看下回。
His Majesty shows magnanimous bounty. The Imperial consort Yuan pays a visit to her parents. The happiness of a family gathering. Pao-yue displays his polished talents.
But let us resume our story. A servant came, at this moment, to report that for the works in course of execution, they were waiting for gauze and damask silk to paste on various articles, and that they requested lady Feng to go and open the depot for them to take the gauze and silk, while another servant also came to ask lady Feng to open the treasury for them to receive the gold and silver ware. And as Madame Wang, the waiting-maids and the other domestics of the upper rooms had all no leisure, Pao-ch'ai suggested: "Don't let us remain in here and be in the way of their doing what there is to be done, and of going where they have to go," and saying this, she betook herself, escorted by Pao-yue and the rest, into Ying Ch'un's rooms.
Madame Wang continued day after day in a great state of flurry and confusion, straight up to within the tenth moon, by which time every arrangement had been completed, and the overseers had all handed in a clear statement of their accounts. The curios and writing materials, wherever needed, had all already been laid out and everything got ready, and the birds (and animals), from the stork, the deer and rabbits to the chickens, geese and the like, had all been purchased and handed over to be reared in the various localities in the garden; and over at Chia Se's, had also been learnt twenty miscellaneous plays, while a company of young nuns and Taoist priestesses had likewise the whole number of them, mastered the intonation of Buddhist classics and incantations.
Chia Cheng after this, at length, was slightly composed in mind, and cheerful at heart; and having further invited dowager lady Chia and other inmates to go into the garden, he deliberated with them on, and made arrangements for, every detail in such a befitting manner that not the least trifle remained for which suitable provision had not been made; and Chia Cheng eventually mustered courage to indite a memorial, and on the very day on which the memorial was presented, a decree was received fixing upon the fifteenth day of the first moon of the ensuing year, the very day of the Shang Yuan festival, for the honourable consorts to visit their homes.
Upon the receipt of this decree, with which the Chia family was honoured, they had still less leisure, both by day as well as by night; so much so that they could not even properly observe the new year festivities. But in a twinkle of the eye, the festival of the full moon of the first moon drew near; and beginning from the eighth day of the first moon, eunuchs issued from the palace and inspected beforehand the various localities, the apartments in which the imperial consort was to change her costume; the place where she would spend her leisure moments; the spot where she would receive the conventionalities; the premises where the banquets would be spread; the quarters where she would retire for rest.
There were also eunuchs who came to assume the patrol of the grounds and the direction of the defences; and they brought along with them a good many minor eunuchs, whose duty it was to look after the safety of the various localities, to screen the place with enclosing curtains, to instruct the inmates and officials of the Chia mansion whither to go out and whence to come in from, what side the viands should be brought in from, where to report matters, and in the observance of every kind of etiquette; and for outside the mansion, there were, on the other hand, officers from the Board of Works, and a superintendent of the Police, of the "Five Cities," in charge of the sweeping of the streets and roads, and the clearing away of loungers. While Chia She and the others superintended the workmen in such things as the manufacture of flowered lanterns and fireworks.
The fourteenth day arrived and everything was in order; but on this night, one and all whether high or low, did not get a wink of sleep; and when the fifteenth came, every one, at the fifth watch, beginning from dowager lady Chia and those who enjoyed any official status, appeared in full gala dress, according to their respective ranks. In the garden, the curtains were, by this time, flapping like dragons, the portieres flying about like phoenixes with variegated plumage. Gold and silver glistened with splendour. Pearls and precious gems shed out their brilliant lustre. The tripod censers burnt the Pai-ho incense. In the vases were placed evergreens. Silence and stillness prevailed, and not a man ventured so much as to cough.
Chia She and the other men were standing outside the door giving on to the street on the west; and old lady Chia and the other ladies were outside the main entrance of the Jung mansion at the head of the street, while at the mouth of the lane were placed screens to rigorously obstruct the public gaze. They were unable to bear the fatigue of any further waiting when, at an unexpected moment, a eunuch arrived on horseback, and Chia Cheng went up to meet him, and ascertained what tidings he was the bearer of.
"It's as yet far too early," rejoined the eunuch, "for at one o'clock (her highness) will have her evening repast, and at two she has to betake herself to the Palace of Precious Perception to worship Buddha. At five, she will enter the Palace of Great Splendour to partake of a banquet, and to see the lanterns, after which, she will request His Majesty's permission; so that, I'm afraid, it won't be earlier than seven before they set out."
Lady Feng's ear caught what was said. "If such be the case," she interposed, "may it please your venerable ladyship, and you, my lady, to return for a while to your apartments, and wait; and if you come when it's time you'll be here none too late."
Dowager lady Chia and the other ladies immediately left for a time and suited their own convenience, and as everything in the garden devolved upon lady Feng to supervise, she ordered the butlers to take the eunuchs and give them something to eat and drink; and at the same time, she sent word that candles should be brought in and that the lanterns in the various places should be lit.
But unexpectedly was heard from outside the continuous patter of horses running, whereupon about ten eunuchs hurried in gasping and out of breath. They clapped their hands, and the several eunuchs (who had come before), understanding the signal, and knowing that the party had arrived, stood in their respective positions; while Chia She, at the head of all the men of the clan, remained at the western street door, and dowager lady Chia, at the head of the female relatives of the family, waited outside the principal entrance to do the honours.
For a long interval, everything was plunged in silence and quiet; when suddenly two eunuchs on horseback were espied advancing with leisurely step. Reaching the western street gate, they dismounted, and, driving their horses beyond the screens, they forthwith took their stand facing the west. After another long interval, a second couple arrived, and went likewise through the same proceedings. In a short time, drew near about ten couples, when, at length, were heard the gentle strains of music, and couple by couple advanced with banners, dragons, with fans made with phoenix feathers, and palace flabella of pheasant plumes; and those besides who carried gold-washed censers burning imperial incense. Next in order was brought past a state umbrella of golden yellow, with crooked handle and embroidered with seven phoenixes; after which quickly followed the crown, robe, girdle and shoes.
There were likewise eunuchs, who took a part in the procession, holding scented handkerchiefs and embroidered towels, cups for rinsing the mouth, dusters and other such objects; and company after company went past, when, at the rear, approached with stately step eight eunuchs carrying an imperial sedan chair, of golden yellow, with a gold knob and embroidered with phoenixes.
Old lady Chia and the other members of the family hastily fell on their knees, but a eunuch came over at once to raise her ladyship and the rest; and the imperial chair was thereupon carried through the main entrance, the ceremonial gate and into a court on the eastern side, at the door of which stood a eunuch, who prostrated himself and invited (her highness) to dismount and change her costume.
Having forthwith carried her inside the gate, the eunuchs dispersed; and only the maids-of-honour and ladies-in-waiting ushered Yuan Ch'un out of the chair, when what mainly attracted her eye in the park was the brilliant lustre of the flowered lamps of every colour, all of which were made of gauze or damask, and were beautiful in texture, and out of the common run; while on the upper side was a flat lantern with the inscription in four characters, "Regarded (by His Majesty's) benevolence and permeated by his benefits."
Yuan Ch'un entered the apartment and effected the necessary changes in her toilette; after which, she again egressed, and, mounting her chair, she made her entry into the garden, when she perceived the smoke of incense whirling and twirling, and the reflection of the flowers confusing the eyes. Far and wide, the rays of light, shed by the lanterns, intermingled their brilliancy, while, from time to time, fine strains of music sounded with clamorous din. But it would be impossible to express adequately the perfect harmony in the aspect of this scene, and the grandeur of affluence and splendour.
The imperial consort of the Chia family, we must now observe, upon catching sight, from the interior of her chair, of the picture presented within as well as without the confines of this garden, shook her head and heaved a sigh. "What lavish extravagance! What excessive waste!" she soliloquised.
But of a sudden was again seen a eunuch who, on his knees, invited her to get into a boat; and the Chia consort descended from the chair and stepped into the craft, when the expanse of a limpid stream met her gaze, whose grandeur resembled that of the dragon in its listless course. The stone bannisters, on each side, were one mass of air-tight lanterns, of every colour, made of crystal or glass, which threw out a light like the lustre of silver or the brightness of snow.
The willow, almond and the whole lot of trees, on the upper side, were, it is true, without blossom and leaves; but pongee and damask silks, paper and lustring had been employed, together with rice-paper, to make flowers of, which had been affixed on the branches. Upon each tree were suspended thousands of lanterns; and what is more, the lotus and aquatic plants, the ducks and water fowl in the pond had all, in like manner, been devised out of conches and clams, plumes and feathers. The various lanterns, above and below, vied in refulgence. In real truth, it was a crystal region, a world of pearls and precious stones. On board the boat were also every kind of lanterns representing such designs as are used on flower-pots, pearl-laden portieres, embroidered curtains, oars of cinnamon wood, and paddles of magnolia, which need not of course be minutely described.
They entered a landing with a stone curb; and on this landing was erected a flat lantern upon which were plainly visible the four characters the "Persicary beach and flower-laden bank." But, reader, you have heard how that these four characters "the persicary beach and the flower-laden bank," the motto "a phoenix comes with dignified air," and the rest owe one and all their origin to the unexpected test to which Chia Cheng submitted, on a previous occasion, Pao-yue's literary abilities; but how did it come about that they were actually adopted?
You must remember that the Chia family had been, generation after generation, given to the study of letters, so that it was only natural that there should be among them one or two renowned writers of verses; for how could they ever resemble the families of such upstarts, who only employ puerile expressions as a makeshift to get through what they have to do? But the why and the wherefore must be sought in the past. The consort, belonging to the Chia mansion, had, before she entered the palace, been, from her infancy, also brought up by dowager lady Chia; and when Pao-yue was subsequently added to the family, she was the eldest sister and Pao-yue the youngest child. The Chia consort, bearing in mind how that she had, when her mother was verging on old age, at length obtained this younger brother, she for this reason doated upon him with single love; and as they were besides companions in their attendance upon old lady Chia, they were inseparable for even a moment. Before Pao-yue had entered school, and when three or four years of age, he had already received oral instruction from the imperial spouse Chia from the contents of several books and had committed to memory several thousands of characters, for though they were only sister and brother, they were like mother and child. And after she had entered the Palace, she was wont time and again to have letters taken out to her father and her cousins, urgently recommending them to be careful with his bringing up, that if they were not strict, he could not possibly become good for anything, and that if they were immoderately severe, there was the danger of something unpropitious befalling him, with the result, moreover, that his grandmother would be stricken with sorrow; and this solicitude on his account was never for an instant lost sight of by her.
Hence it was that Chia Cheng having, a few days back, heard his teacher extol him for his extreme abilities, he forthwith put him to the test on the occasion of their ramble through the garden. And though (his compositions) were not in the bold style of a writer of note, yet they were productions of their own family, and would, moreover, be instrumental, when the Chia consort had her notice attracted by them, and come to know that they were devised by her beloved brother, in also not rendering nugatory the anxious interest which she had ever entertained on his behalf, and he, therefore, purposely adopted what had been suggested by Pao-yue; while for those places, for which on that day no devices had been completed, a good number were again subsequently composed to make up what was wanted.
After the Chia consort had, for we shall now return to her, perused the four characters, she gave a smile. "The two words 'flower-laden bank,'" she said, "are really felicitous, so what use was there for 'persicary beach?'"
When the eunuch in waiting heard this observation, he promptly jumped off the craft on to the bank, and at a flying pace hurried to communicate it to Chia Cheng, and Chia Cheng instantly effected the necessary alteration.
By this time the craft had reached the inner bank, and leaving the boat, and mounting into her sedan chair, she in due course contemplated the magnificent Jade-like Palace; the Hall of cinnamon wood, lofty and sublime; and the marble portals with the four characters in bold style: the "Precious confines of heavenly spirits," which the Chia consort gave directions should be changed for the four words denoting: "additional Hall (for the imperial consort) on a visit to her parents." And forthwith making her entrance into the travelling lodge her gaze was attracted by torches burning in the court encompassing the heavens, fragments of incense strewn on the ground, fire-like trees and gem-like flowers, gold-like windows and jade-like bannisters. But it would be difficult to give a full account of the curtains, which rolled up (as fine as a) shrimp's moustache; of the carpets of other skins spread on the floor; of the tripods exhaling the fragrant aroma of the brain of the musk deer; of the screens in a row resembling fans made of pheasant tails. Indeed, the gold-like doors and the windows like jade were suggestive of the abode of spirits; while the halls made of cinnamon wood and the palace of magnolia timber, of the very homes of the imperial secondary consorts.
"Why is it," the Chia consort inquired, "that there is no tablet in this Hall?"
The eunuch in waiting fell on his knees. "This is the main Hall," he reverently replied, "and the officials, outside the palace, did not presume to take upon themselves to suggest any motto."
The Chia consort shook her head and said not a word; whereupon the eunuch, who acted as master of ceremonies, requested Her Majesty to ascend the throne and receive homage. The band stationed on the two flights of steps struck up a tune, while two eunuchs ushered Chia She, Chia Cheng and the other members on to the moonlike stage, where they arranged themselves in order and ascended into the hall, but when the ladies-in-waiting transmitted her commands that the homage could be dispensed with, they at once retraced their footsteps.
(The master of the ceremonies), in like manner led forward the dowager lady of the Jung Kuo mansion, as well as the female relatives, from the steps on the east side, on to the moon-like stage; where they were placed according to their ranks. But the maids-of-honour again commanded that they should dispense with the ceremony, so they likewise promptly withdrew.
After tea had been thrice presented, the Chia consort descended the Throne, and the music ceased. She retired into a side room to change her costume, and the private chairs were then got ready for her visit to her parents. Issuing from the garden, she came into the main quarters belonging to dowager lady Chia, where she was bent upon observing the domestic conventionalities, when her venerable ladyship, and the other members of the family, prostrated themselves in a body before her, and made her desist. Tears dropped down from the eyes of the Chia consort as (she and her relatives) mutually came forward, and greeted each other, and as with one hand she grasped old lady Chia, and with the other she held madame Wang, the three had plenty in their hearts which they were fain to speak about; but, unable as each one of them was to give utterance to their feelings, all they did was to sob and to weep, as they kept face to face to each other; while madame Hsing, widow Li Wan, Wang Hsi-feng, and the three sisters: Ying Ch'un, T'an Ch'un, and Hsi Ch'un, stood aside in a body shedding tears and saying not a word.
After a long time, the Chia consort restrained her anguish, and forcing a smile, she set to work to reassure old lady Chia and madame Wang. "Having in days gone by," she urged, "been sent to that place where no human being can be seen, I have to-day after extreme difficulty returned home; and now that you ladies and I have been reunited, instead of chatting or laughing we contrariwise give way to incessant tears! But shortly, I shall be gone, and who knows when we shall be able again to even see each other!"
When she came to this sentence, they could not help bursting into another tit of crying; and Madame Hsing hastened to come forward, and to console dowager lady Chia and the rest. But when the Chia consort resumed her seat, and one by one came again, in turn, to exchange salutations, they could not once more help weeping and sobbing for a time.
Next in order, were the managers and servants of the eastern and western mansions to perform their obeisance in the outer pavilion; and after the married women and waiting-maids had concluded their homage, the Chia consort heaved a sigh. "How many relatives," she observed, "there are all of whom, alas! I may not see."
"There are here now," madame Wang rejoined with due respect, "kindred with outside family names, such as Mrs. Hsueeh, nee Wang, Pao-ch'ai, and Tai-yue waiting for your commands; but as they are distant relatives, and without official status, they do not venture to arrogate to themselves the right of entering into your presence." But the Chia consort issued directions that they should be invited to come that they should see each other; and in a short while, Mrs. Hsueeh and the other relatives walked in, but as they were on the point of performing the rites, prescribed by the state, she bade them relinquish the observance so that they came forward, and each, in turn, alluded to what had transpired during the long separation.
Pao Ch'in also and a few other waiting-maids, whom the Chia consort had originally taken along with her into the palace, knocked their heads before dowager lady Chia, but her ladyship lost no time in raising them up, and in bidding them go into a separate suite of rooms to be entertained; and as for the retainers, eunuchs as well as maids-of-honour, ladies-in-waiting and every attendant, there were needless to say, those in the two places, the Ning mansion and Chia She's residence, to wait upon them; there only remained three or four young eunuchs to answer the summons.
The mother and daughter and her cousins conversed for some time on what had happened during the protracted separation, as well as on domestic affairs and their private feelings, when Chia Cheng likewise advanced as far as the other side of the portiere, and inquired after her health, and the Chia consort from inside performed the homage and other conventionalities (due to her parent).
"The families of farmers," she further went on to say to her father, "feed on salted cabbage, and clothe in cotton material; but they readily enjoy the happiness of the relationships established by heaven! We, however, relatives though we now be of one bone and flesh, are, with all our affluence and honours, living apart from each other, and deriving no happiness whatsoever!"
Chia Cheng, on his part endeavoured, to restrain his tears. "I belonged," he rejoined, "to a rustic and poor family; and among that whole number of pigeons and pheasants, how could I have imagined that I would have obtained the blessing of a hidden phoenix! Of late all for the sake of your honourable self, His Majesty, above, confers upon us his heavenly benefits; while we, below, show forth the virtue of our ancestors! And it is mainly because the vital principle of the hills, streams, sun, and moon, and the remote virtue of our ancestors have been implanted in you alone that this good fortune has attained me Cheng and my wife! Moreover, the present emperor, bearing in mind the great bounty shewn by heaven and earth in promoting a ceaseless succession, has vouchsafed a more generous act of grace than has ever been displayed from old days to the present. And although we may besmear our liver and brain in the mire, how could we show our gratitude, even to so slight a degree as one ten-thousandth part. But all I can do is, in the daytime, to practise diligence, vigilance at night, and loyalty in my official duties. My humble wish is that His Majesty, my master, may live ten thousand years and see thousands of autumns, so as to promote the welfare of all mankind in the world! And you, worthy imperial consort, must, on no account, be mindful of me Cheng and my wife, decrepid as we are in years. What I would solicit more than anything is that you should be more careful of yourself, and that you should be diligent and reverential in your service to His Majesty, with the intent that you may not prove ungrateful of his affectionate regard and bountiful grace."
The Chia consort, on the other hand, enjoined "that much as it was expedient to display zeal, in the management of state matters, it behoved him, when he had any leisure, to take good care of himself, and that he should not, whatever he did, give way to solicitude on her behalf." And Chia Cheng then went on to say "that the various inscriptions in the park over the pavilions, terraces, halls and residences had been all composed by Pao-yue, and, that in the event of there being one or two that could claim her attention, he would be happy if it would please her to at once favour him with its name." Whereupon the imperial consort Yuean, when she heard that Pao-yue could compose verses, forthwith exclaimed with a smile: "He has in very truth made progress!"
After Chia Cheng had retired out of the hall, the Chia consort made it a point to ask: "How is it that I do not see Pao-yue?" and dowager lady Chia explained: "An outside male relative as he is, and without official rank, he does not venture to appear before you of his own accord."
"Bring him in!" the imperial consort directed; whereupon a young eunuch ushered Pao-yue in. After he had first complied with the state ceremonies, she bade him draw near to her, and taking his hand, she held it in her lap, and, as she went on to caress his head and neck, she smiled and said: "He's grown considerably taller than he was before;" but she had barely concluded this remark, when her tears ran down as profuse as rain. Mrs. Yu, lady Feng, and the rest pressed forward. "The banquet is quite ready," they announced, "and your highness is requested to favour the place with your presence."
The imperial consort Yuan stood up and asking Pao-yue to lead the way, she followed in his steps, along with the whole party, and betook herself on foot as far as the entrance of the garden gate, whence she at once espied, in the lustre shed by the lanterns, every kind of decorations. Entering the garden, they first passed the spots with the device "a phoenix comes with dignified air," "the red (flowers are) fragrant and the green (banana leaves like) jade!" "the sign on the apricot tree is visible," "the fragrance pure of the ligularia and iris," and other places; and ascending the towers they walked up the halls, forded the streams and wound round the hills; contemplating as they turned their gaze from side to side, each place arranged in a different style, and each kind of article laid out in unique designs. The Chia consort expressed her admiration in most profuse eulogiums, and then went on to advise them: "that it was not expedient to indulge in future in such excessive extravagance and that all these arrangements were over and above what should have been done."
Presently they reached the main pavilion, where she commanded that they could dispense with the rites and take their seats. A sumptuous banquet was laid out, at which dowager lady Chia and the other ladies occupied the lower seats and entertained each other, while Mrs. Yu, widow Li Wan, lady Feng and the rest presented the soup and handed the cups. The Imperial consort Yuan subsequently directed that the pencils and inkslabs should be brought, and with her own hands she opened the silken paper. She chose the places she liked, and conferred upon them a name; and devising a general designation for the garden, she called it the Ta Kuan garden (Broad vista), while for the tablet of the main pavilion the device she composed ran as follows: "Be mindful of the grace and remember the equity (of His Majesty);" with this inscription on the antithetical scrolls:
Mercy excessive Heaven and earth display, And it men young and old hail gratefully; From old till now they pour their bounties great Those rich gifts which Cathay and all states permeate.
Changing also the text: "A phoenix comes with dignified air for the Hsiao Hsiang Lodge."
"The red (flowers are) fragrant and the green (banana leaves like) jade," she altered into "Happy red and joyful green"; bestowing upon the place the appellation of the I Hung court (joyful red). The spot where "the fragrance pure of the ligularia and iris," was inscribed, she called "the ligularia and the 'Wu' weed court;" and where was "the sign in the apricot tree is visible," she designated "the cottage in the hills where dolichos is bleached." The main tower she called the Broad Vista Tower. The lofty tower facing the east, she designated "the variegated and flowery Hall;" bestowing on the line of buildings, facing the west, the appellation of "the Hall of Occult Fragrance;" and besides these figured such further names as: "the Hall of peppery wind," "the Arbour of lotus fragrance," "the Islet of purple caltrop," "the Bank of golden lotus," and the like. There were also tablets with four characters such as: "the peach blossom and the vernal rain;" "the autumnal wind prunes the Eloecocca," "the artemisia leaves and the night snow," and other similar names which could not all be placed on record. She furthermore directed that such tablets as were already put up, should not be dismounted, and she forthwith took the lead and composed an heptameter stanza, the burden of which was:
Hills it enclasps, embraces streams, with skill it is laid out: What task the grounds to raise! the works to start and bring about! Of scenery in heaven and amongst men store has been made; The name Broad Vista o'er the fragrant park should be engraved.
When she had finished writing, she observed smilingly, as she addressed herself to all the young ladies: "I have all along lacked the quality of sharpness and never besides been good at verses; as you, sisters, and all of you have ever been aware; but, on a night like this I've been fain to do my best, with the object of escaping censure, and of not reflecting injustice on this scenery and nothing more. But some other day when I've got time, be it ever so little, I shall deem it my duty to make up what remains by inditing a record of the Broad Vista Garden, as well as a song on my visit to my parents and other such literary productions in memory of the events of this day. You sisters and others must, each of you, in like manner compose a stanza on the motto on each tablet, expressing your sentiments, as you please, without being restrained by any regard for my meagre ability. Knowing as I do besides that Pao-yue is, indeed, able to write verses, I feel the more delighted! But among his compositions, those I like the best are those in the two places, 'the Hsiao Hsiang Lodge,' and 'the court of Heng and Wu;' and next those of 'the Joyful red court,' and 'the cottage in the hills, where the dolichos is bleached.' As for grand sites like these four, there should be found some out-of-the-way expressions to insert in the verses so that they should be felicitous. The antithetical lines composed by you, (Pao-yue), on a former occasion are excellent, it is true; but you should now further indite for each place, a pentameter stanza, so that by allowing me to test you in my presence, you may not show yourself ungrateful for the trouble I have taken in teaching you from your youth up."
Pao-yue had no help but to assent, and descending from the hall, he went off all alone to give himself up to reflection.
Of the three Ying Ch'un, T'an Ch'un, and Hsi Ch'un, T'an Ch'un must be considered to have also been above the standard of her sisters, but she, in her own estimation, imagined it, in fact, difficult to compete with Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai and Lin Tai-yue. With no alternative however than that of doing her best, she followed the example of all the rest with the sole purpose of warding off criticism. And Li Wan too succeeded, after much exertion, in putting together a stanza.
The consort of the Chia family perused in due order the verses written by the young ladies, the text of which is given below.
The lines written by Ying Ch'un on the tablet of "Boundless spirits and blissful heart" were:
A park laid out with scenery surpassing fine and rare! Submissive to thy will, on boundless bliss bashful I write! Who could believe that yonder scenes in this world found a share! Will not thy heart be charmed on thy visit by the sight?
These are the verses by T'an Ch'un on the tablet of "All nature vies in splendour":
Of aspect lofty and sublime is raised a park of fame! Honoured with thy bequest, my shallow lore fills me with shame. No words could e'er amply exhaust the beauteous skill, For lo! in very truth glory and splendour all things fill!
Thus runs Hsi Ch'un's stanza on the tablet of the "Conception of literary compositions":
The hillocks and the streams crosswise beyond a thousand li extend! The towers and terraces 'midst the five-coloured clouds lofty ascend! In the resplendent radiance of both sun and moon the park it lies! The skill these scenes to raise the skill e'en essays to conceive outvies!
The lines composed by Li Wan on the tablet "grace and elegance," consisted of:
The comely streams and hillocks clear, in double folds, embrace; E'en Fairyland, forsooth, transcend they do in elegance and grace! The "Fragrant Plant" the theme is of the ballad fan, green-made. Like drooping plum-bloom flap the lapel red and the Hsiang gown. From prosperous times must have been handed down those pearls and jade. What bliss! the fairy on the jasper terrace will come down! When to our prayers she yields, this glorious park to contemplate, No mortal must e'er be allowed these grounds to penetrate.
The ode by Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai on the tablet of "Concentrated Splendour and Accumulated auspiciousness" was:
Raised on the west of the Imperial city, lo! the park stored with fragrant smell, Shrouded by Phoebe's radiant rays and clouds of good omen, in wondrous glory lies! The willows tall with joy exult that the parrots their nests have shifted from the dell. The bamboo groves, when laid, for the phoenix with dignity to come, were meant to rise. The very eve before the Empress' stroll, elegant texts were ready and affixed. If even she her parents comes to see, how filial piety supreme must be! When I behold her beauteous charms and talents supernatural, with awe transfixed, One word, to utter more how can I troth ever presume, when shame overpowers me.
The distich by Lin Tai-yue on the tablet of "Spiritual stream outside the world," ran thus:
Th' imperial visit doth enhance joy and delight. This fairy land from mortal scenes what diff'rent sight! The comely grace it borrows of both hill and stream; And to the landscape it doth add a charm supreme. The fumes of Chin Ku wine everything permeate; The flowers the inmate of the Jade Hall fascinate. The imperial favour to receive how blessed our lot! For oft the palace carriage will pass through this spot.
The Chia consort having concluded the perusal of the verses, and extolled them for a time: "After all," she went on to say with a smile, "those composed by my two cousins, Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai and Lin Tai-yue, differ in excellence from those of all the rest; and neither I, stupid as I am, nor my sisters can attain their standard."
Lin Tao-yue had, in point of fact, made up her mind to display, on this evening, her extraordinary abilities to their best advantage, and to put down every one else, but contrary to her expectations the Chia consort had expressed her desire that no more than a single stanza should be written on each tablet, so that unable, after all, to disregard her directions by writing anything in excess, she had no help but to compose a pentameter stanza, in an offhand way, merely with the intent of complying with her wishes.
Pao-yue had by this time not completed his task. He had just finished two stanzas on the Hsiao Hsiang Lodge and the Heng Wu garden, and was just then engaged in composing a verse on the "Happy red Court." In his draft figured a line: "The (leaves) of jade-like green in spring are yet rolled up," which Pao-ch'ai stealthily observed as she turned her eyes from side to side; and availing herself of the very first moment, when none of the company could notice her, she gave him a nudge. "As her highness," she remarked, "doesn't relish the four characters, representing the red (flowers are) fragrant, and the green (banana leaves) like jade, she changed them, just a while back, for 'the joyful red and gladsome green;' and if you deliberately now again employ these two words 'jade-like green,' won't it look as if you were bent upon being at variance with her? Besides, very many are the old books, in which the banana leaves form the theme, so you had better think of another line and substitute it and have done with it!"
When Pao-yue heard the suggestion made by Pao-ch'ai, he speedily replied, as he wiped off the perspiration: "I can't at all just at present call to mind any passage from the contents of some old book."
"Just simply take," proposed Pao-ch'ai smilingly, "the character jade in jade-like green and change it into the character wax, that's all."
"Does 'green wax,'" Pao-yue inquired, "come out from anywhere?"
Pao-ch'ai gently smacked her lips and nodded her head as she laughed. "I fear," she said, "that if, on an occasion like to-night, you show no more brains than this, by and by when you have to give any answers in the golden hall, to the questions (of the examiner), you will, really, forget (the very first four names) of Chao, Oh'ien, Sun and Li (out of the hundred)! What, have you so much as forgotten the first line of the poem by Han Yue, of the T'ang dynasty, on the Banana leaf:
"Cold is the candle and without a flame, the green wax dry?"
On hearing these words, Pao-yue's mind suddenly became enlightened. "What a fool I am!" he added with a simper; "I couldn't for the moment even remember the lines, ready-made though they were and staring at me in my very eyes! Sister, you really can be styled my teacher, little though you may have taught me, and I'll henceforward address you by no other name than 'teacher,' and not call you 'sister' any more!"
"Don't you yet hurry to go on," Pao-ch'ai again observed in a gentle tone of voice sneeringly, "but keep on calling me elder sister and younger sister? Who's your sister? that one over there in a yellow coat is your sister!"
But apprehending, as she bandied these jokes, lest she might be wasting his time, she felt constrained to promptly move away; whereupon Pao-yue continued the ode he had been working at, and brought it to a close, writing in all three stanzas.
Tai-yue had not had so far an opportunity of making a display of her ability, and was feeling at heart in a very dejected mood; but when she perceived that Pao-yue was having intense trouble in conceiving what he had to write, and she found, upon walking up to the side of the table, that he had only one stanza short, that on "the sign on the apricot tree is visible," she consequently bade him copy out clean the first three odes, while she herself composed a stanza, which she noted down on a slip of paper, rumpled up into a ball, and threw just in front of Pao-yue.
As soon as Pao-yue opened it and glanced at it, he realised that it was a hundred times better than his own three stanzas, and transcribing it without loss of time, in a bold writing, he handed up his compositions.
On perusal, the Chia Consort read what follows. By Pao-yue, on: "A phoenix comes with dignified air:"
The bamboos just now don that jadelike grace, Which worthy makes them the pheasant to face; Each culm so tender as if to droop fain, Each one so verdant, in aspect so cool, The curb protects, from the steps wards the pool. The pervious screens the tripod smell restrain. The shadow will be strewn, mind do not shake And (Hsieh) from her now long fine dream (awake)!
On "the pure fragrance of the Ligularia and Iris Florentina:"
Hengs and Wus the still park permeate; The los and pis their sweet perfume enhance; And supple charms the third spring flowers ornate; Softly is wafted one streak of fragrance! A light mist doth becloud the tortuous way! With moist the clothes bedews, that verdure cold! The pond who ever sinuous could hold? Dreams long and subtle, dream the household Hsieh.
On "the happy red and joyful green:"
Stillness pervades the deep pavilion on a lengthy day. The green and red, together matched, transcendent grace display. Unfurled do still remain in spring the green and waxlike leaves. No sleep yet seeks the red-clad maid, though night's hours be far-spent, But o'er the rails lo, she reclines, dangling her ruddy sleeves; Against the stone she leans shrouded by taintless scent, And stands the quarter facing whence doth blow the eastern wind! Her lord and master must look up to her with feelings kind.
On "the sign on the apricot tree is visible:"
The apricot tree sign to drink wayfarers doth invite; A farm located on a hill, lo! yonder strikes the sight! And water caltrops, golden lotus, geese, as well as flows, And mulberry and elm trees which afford rest to swallows. That wide extent of spring leeks with verdure covers the ground; And o'er ten li the paddy blossom fragrance doth abound. In days of plenty there's a lack of dearth and of distress, And what need then is there to plough and weave with such briskness?
When the Chia consort had done with the perusal, excessive joy filled her heart. "He has indeed made progress!" she exclaimed, and went on to point at the verses on "the sign on the apricot tree," as being the crowning piece of the four stanzas. In due course, she with her own hands changed the motto "a cottage in the hills where dolichos is bleached" into "the paddy-scented village;" and bidding also T'an Ch'un to take the several tens of stanzas written then, and to transcribe them separately on ornamented silk paper, she commanded a eunuch to send them to the outer quarters. And when Chia Cheng and the other men perused them, one and all sung their incessant praise, while Chia Cheng, on his part, sent in some complimentary message, with regard to her return home on a visit.
Yuan Ch'un went further and gave orders that luscious wines, a ham and other such presents should be conferred upon Pao-yue, as well as upon Chia Lan. This Chia Lan was as yet at this time a perfect youth without any knowledge of things in general, so that all that he could do was to follow the example of his mother, and imitate his uncle in performing the conventional rites.
At the very moment that Chia Se felt unable, along with a company of actresses, to bear the ordeal of waiting on the ground floor of the two-storied building, he caught sight of a eunuch come running at a flying pace. "The composition of verses is over," he said, "so quick give me the programme;" whereupon Chia Se hastened to present the programme as well as a roll of the names of the twelve girls. And not a long interval elapsed before four plays were chosen; No. 1 being the Imperial Banquet; No. 2 Begging (the weaver goddess) for skill in needlework; No. 3 The spiritual match; and No. 4 the Parting spirit. Chia Se speedily lent a hand in the getting up, and the preparations for the performance, and each of the girls sang with a voice sufficient to split the stones and danced in the manner of heavenly spirits; and though their exterior was that of the characters in which they were dressed up for the play, their acting nevertheless represented, in a perfect manner, both sorrow as well as joy. As soon as the performance was brought to a close, a eunuch walked in holding a golden salver containing cakes, sweets, and the like, and inquired who was Ling Kuan; and Chia Se readily concluding that these articles were presents bestowed upon Ling Kuan, made haste to take them over, as he bade Ling Kuan prostrate herself.
"The honourable consort," the eunuch further added, "directs that Ling Kuan, who is the best actress of the lot, should sing two more songs; any two will do, she does not mind what they are."
Chia Se at once expressed his obedience, and felt constrained to urge Ling Kuan to sing the two ballads entitled: "The walk through the garden" and "Frightened out of a dream." But Ling Kuan asserted that these two ballads had not originally been intended for her own role; and being firm in her refusal to accede and insisting upon rendering the two songs "The Mutual Promise" and "The Mutual Abuse," Chia Se found it hard to bring her round, and had no help but to let her have her own way. The Chia consort was so extremely enchanted with her that she gave directions that she should not be treated harshly, and that this girl should receive a careful training, while besides the fixed number of presents, she gave her two rolls of palace silk, two purses, gold and silver ingots, and presents in the way of eatables.
Subsequently, when the banquet had been cleared, and she once more prosecuted her visit through those places to which she had not been, she quite accidentally espied the Buddhist Temple encircled by hills, and promptly rinsing her hands, she walked in and burnt incense and worshipped Buddha. She also composed the device for a tablet, "a humane boat on the (world's) bitter sea," and went likewise so far as to show special acts of additional grace to a company of ascetic nuns and Taoist priestesses.
A eunuch came in a short while and reverently fell on his knees. "The presents are all in readiness," he reported, "and may it please you to inspect them and to distribute them, in compliance with custom;" and presented to her a list, which the Chia consort perused from the very top throughout without raising any objection, and readily commanding that action should be taken according to the list, a eunuch descended and issued the gifts one after another. The presents for dowager lady Chia consisted, it may be added, of two sceptres, one of gold, the other of jade, with "may your wishes be fulfilled" inscribed on them; a staff made of lign-aloes; a string of chaplet beads of Chia-nan fragrant wood; four rolls of imperial satins with words "Affluence and honours" and Perennial Spring (woven in them); four rolls of imperial silk with Perennial Happiness and Longevity; two shoes of purple gold bullion, representing a pen, an ingot and "as you like;" and ten silver ingots with the device "Felicitous Blessings." While the two shares for madame Hsing and madame Wang were only short of hers by the sceptres and staffs, four things in all. Chia She, Chia Cheng and the others had each apportioned to him a work newly written by the Emperor, two boxes of superior ink, and gold and silver cups, two pairs of each; their other gifts being identical with those above. Pao-ch'ai, Tai-yue, all the sisters and the rest were assigned each a copy of a new book, a fine slab and two pair of gold and silver ornaments of a novel kind and original shape; Pao-yue likewise receiving the same presents. Chia Lan's gifts consisted of two necklets, one of gold, the other of silver, and of two pair of gold ingots. Mrs. Yu, widow Li Wan, lady Feng and the others had each of them, four ingots of gold and silver; and, in the way of keepsakes, four pieces of silk. There were, in addition, presents consisting of twenty-four pieces of silk and a thousand strings of good cash to be allotted to the nurses, and waiting-maids, in the apartments of dowager lady Chia, madame Wang and of the respective sisters; while Chia Chen, Chia Lien, Chia Huan, Chia Jung and the rest had, every one, for presents, a piece of silk, and a pair of gold and silver ingots.
As regards the other gifts, there were a hundred rolls of various coloured silks, a thousand ounces of pure silver, and several bottles of imperial wine, intended to be bestowed upon all the men-servants of the mansions, on the East and the West, as well as upon those who had been in the garden overseeing works, arranging the decorations, and in waiting to answer calls, and upon those who looked after the theatres and managed the lanterns. There being, besides, five hundred strings of pure cash for the cooks, waiters, jugglers and hundreds of actors and every kind of domestic.
The whole party had finished giving expression to their thanks for her bounty, when the managers and eunuchs respectfully announced: "It is already a quarter to three, and may it please your Majesty to turn back your imperial chariot;" whereupon, much against her will, the Chia consort's eyes brimmed over, and she once more gave vent to tears. Forcing herself however again to put on a smile, she clasped old lady Chia's and madame Wang's hands, and could not bring herself to let them go; while she repeatedly impressed upon their minds: that there was no need to give way to any solicitude, and that they should take good care of their healths; that the grace of the present emperor was so vast, that once a month he would grant permission for them to enter the palace and pay her a visit. "It is easy enough for us to see each other," (she said,) "and why should we indulge in any excess of grief? But when his majesty in his heavenly generosity allows me another time to return home, you shouldn't go in for such pomp and extravagance."
Dowager lady Chia and the other inmates had already cried to such an extent that sobs choked their throats and they could with difficulty give utterance to speech. But though the Chia consort could not reconcile herself to the separation, the usages in vogue in the imperial household could not be disregarded or infringed, so that she had no alternative but to stifle the anguish of her heart, to mount her chariot, and take her departure.
The whole family experienced meanwhile a hard task before they succeeded in consoling the old lady and madame Wang and in supporting them away out of the garden. But as what follows is not ascertained, the next chapter will disclose it.
请欣赏:
请给我换一个看看！ 拜托，快把噪音停掉！我读累了，想听点音乐或者请来支歌曲！
【选集】紅樓一春夢 |
|
|