中国经典 》 红楼梦 A Dream of Red Mansions 》
第二十六回 蜂腰桥设言传心事 潇湘馆春困发幽情 CHAPTER XXVI.
曹雪芹 Cao Xueqin
高鹗 Gao E
CHAPTER XXVI.
话说宝玉养过了三十三天之后， 不但身体强壮，亦且连脸上疮痕平服，仍回大观园内去。这也不在话下。且说近日宝玉病的时节，贾芸带着家下小厮坐更看守，昼夜在这里，那红玉同众丫鬟也在这里守着宝玉，彼此相见多日，都渐渐混熟了。那红玉见贾芸手里拿的手帕子，倒象是自己从前掉的，待要问他，又不好问的。不料那和尚道士来过，用不着一切男人，贾芸仍种树去了。这件事待要放下，心内又放不下，待要问去，又怕人猜疑，正是犹豫不决神魂不定之际，忽听窗外问道：“姐姐在屋里没有？"红玉闻听，在窗眼内望外一看，原来是本院的个小丫头名叫佳蕙的，因答说：“在家里，你进来罢。”佳蕙听了跑进来，就坐在床上，笑道：“我好造化！才刚在院子里洗东西，宝玉叫往林姑娘那里送茶叶， 花大姐姐交给我送去。可巧老太太那里给林姑娘送钱来，正分给他们的丫头们呢。见我去了，林姑娘就抓了两把给我，也不知多少。你替我收着。”便把手帕子打开，把钱倒了出来，红玉替他一五一十的数了收起。
佳蕙道：“你这一程子心里到底觉怎么样？依我说，你竟家去住两日，请一个大夫来瞧瞧，吃两剂药就好了。”红玉道：“那里的话，好好的，家去作什么！"佳蕙道：“我想起来了， 林姑娘生的弱，时常他吃药，你就和他要些来吃，也是一样。”红玉道：“胡说！药也是混吃的。”佳蕙道：“你这也不是个长法儿，又懒吃懒喝的，终久怎么样？"红玉道：“怕什么，还不如早些儿死了倒干净！"佳蕙道：“好好的，怎么说这些话？"红玉道：“你那里知道我心里的事！”
佳蕙点头想了一会， 道：“可也怨不得，这个地方难站。就象昨儿老太太因宝玉病了这些日子，说跟着伏侍的这些人都辛苦了，如今身上好了，各处还完了愿，叫把跟着的人都按着等儿赏他们。我们算年纪小，上不去，我也不抱怨，象你怎么也不算在里头？ 我心里就不服。袭人那怕他得十分儿，也不恼他，原该的。说良心话，谁还敢比他呢？别说他素日殷勤小心， 便是不殷勤小心，也拼不得。可气晴雯，绮霰他们这几个，都算在上等里去， 仗着老子娘的脸面，众人倒捧着他去。你说可气不可气？"红玉道：“也不犯着气他们。 俗语说的好，‘千里搭长棚，没有个不散的筵席’，谁守谁一辈子呢？不过三年五载， 各人干各人的去了。那时谁还管谁呢？"这两句话不觉感动了佳蕙的心肠，由不得眼睛红了， 又不好意思好端端的哭，只得勉强笑道：“你这话说的却是。昨儿宝玉还说，明儿怎么样收拾房子，怎么样做衣裳，倒象有几百年的熬煎。”
红玉听了冷笑了两声， 方要说话，只见一个未留头的小丫头子走进来，手里拿着些花样子并两张纸， 说道：“这是两个样子贵以无为用，不能舍无以为体也。”③体指根本原则，用指具，叫你描出来呢。”说着向红玉掷下，回身就跑了。红玉向外问道：“倒是谁的？也等不得说完就跑，谁蒸下馒头等着你，怕冷了不成！ "那小丫头在窗外只说得一声：“是绮大姐姐的。”抬起脚来咕咚咕咚又跑了。红玉便赌气把那样子掷在一边， 向抽屉内找笔，找了半天都是秃了的，因说道：“前儿一枝新笔， 放在那里了？怎么一时想不起来。”一面说着，一面出神，想了一会方笑道：“是了，前儿晚上莺儿拿了去了。”便向佳惠道：“你替我取了来。”佳惠道：“花大姐姐还等着我替他抬箱子呢， 你自己取去罢。”红玉道：“他等着你，你还坐着闲打牙儿？我不叫你取去， 他也不等着你了。坏透了的小蹄子！"说着，自己便出房来，出了怡红院，一径往宝钗院内来。 刚至沁芳亭畔，只见宝玉的奶娘李嬷嬷从那边走来。红玉立住笑问道：“李奶奶， 你老人家那去了？怎打这里来？"李嬷嬷站住将手一拍道：“你说说，好好的又看上了那个种树的什么云哥儿雨哥儿的， 这会子逼着我叫了他来。明儿叫上房里听见，可又是不好。”红玉笑道：“你老人家当真的就依了他去叫了？"李嬷嬷道：“可怎么样呢？"红玉笑道：“那一个要是知道好歹，就回不进来才是。”李嬷嬷道：“他又不痴，为什么不进来？ "红玉道：“既是进来，你老人家该同他一齐来，回来叫他一个人乱碰，可是不好呢。”李嬷嬷道：“我有那样工夫和他走？不过告诉了他，回来打发个小丫头子或是老婆子， 带进他来就完了。”说着，拄着拐杖一径去了。红玉听说，便站着出神，且不去取笔。
一时，只见一个小丫头子跑来，见红玉站在那里，便问道：“林姐姐，你在这里作什么呢？ "红玉抬头见是小丫头子坠儿。红玉道：“那去？"坠儿道：“叫我带进芸二爷来。”说着一径跑了。这里红玉刚走至蜂腰桥门前，只见那边坠儿引着贾芸来了。那贾芸一面走，一面拿眼把红玉一溜，那红玉只装着和坠儿说话，也把眼去一溜贾芸：四目恰相对时，红玉不觉脸红了，一扭身往蘅芜苑去了。不在话下。
这里贾芸随着坠儿，逶迤来至怡红院中。坠儿先进去回明了，然后方领贾芸进去。贾芸看时，只见院内略略有几点山石，种着芭蕉，那边有两只仙鹤在松树下剔翎。一溜回廊上吊着各色笼子，各色仙禽异鸟。上面小小五间抱厦，一色雕镂新鲜花样隔扇，上面悬着一个匾额，四个大字，题道是"怡红快绿"。贾芸想道：“怪道叫‘怡红院’，原来匾上是恁样四个字。”正想着，只听里面隔着纱窗子笑说道：“快进来罢。我怎么就忘了你两三个月！"贾芸听得是宝玉的声音，连忙进入房内。抬头一看，只见金碧辉煌，文章М灼，却看不见宝玉在那里。一回头，只见左边立着一架大穿衣镜，从镜后转出两个一般大的十五六岁的丫头来说：“请二爷里头屋里坐。”贾芸连正眼也不敢看，连忙答应了。又进一道碧纱厨， 只见小小一张填漆床上，悬着大红销金撒花帐子。宝玉穿着家常衣服，и着鞋，倚在床上拿着本书，看见他进来，将书掷下，早堆着笑立起身来。贾芸忙上前请了安。宝玉让坐，便在下面一张椅子上坐了。宝玉笑道：“只从那个月见了你，我叫你往书房里来， 谁知接接连连许多事情，就把你忘了。”贾芸笑道：“总是我没福，偏偏又遇着叔叔身上欠安。叔叔如今可大安了？"宝玉道：“大好了。我倒听见说你辛苦了好几天。”贾芸道：“辛苦也是该当的。叔叔大安了，也是我们一家子的造化。”
说着， 只见有个丫鬟端了茶来与他。那贾芸口里和宝玉说着话，眼睛却溜瞅那丫鬟： 细挑身材，容长脸面，穿着银红袄儿思想路线的基础，是毛泽东思想初步形成的标志之一。，青缎背心，白绫细折裙。——不是别个，却是袭人。那贾芸自从宝玉病了几天，他在里头混了两日，他却把那有名人口认记了一半。他也知道袭人在宝玉房中比别个不同， 今见他端了茶来，宝玉又在旁边坐着，便忙站起来笑道：“姐姐怎么替我倒起茶来。我来到叔叔这里，又不是客，让我自己倒罢。”宝玉道：“你只管坐着罢。丫头们跟前也是这样。”贾芸笑道：“虽如此说，叔叔房里姐姐们，我怎么敢放肆呢。”一面说，一面坐下吃茶。
那宝玉便和他说些没要紧的散话。 又说道谁家的戏子好，谁家的花园好，又告诉他谁家的丫头标致，谁家的酒席丰盛，又是谁家有奇货，又是谁家有异物。那贾芸口里只得顺着他说， 说了一会，见宝玉有些懒懒的了，便起身告辞。宝玉也不甚留，只说：“你明儿闲了，只管来。”仍命小丫头子坠儿送他出去。
出了怡红院，贾芸见四顾无人，便把脚慢慢停着些走，口里一长一短和坠儿说话，先问他"几岁了？名字叫什么？你父母在那一行上？在宝叔房内几年了？一个月多少钱？共总宝叔房内有几个女孩子？"那坠儿见问，便一桩桩的都告诉他了。贾芸又道：“才刚那个与你说话的，他可是叫小红？"坠儿笑道：“他倒叫小红。你问他作什么？"贾芸道：“方才他问你什么手帕子，我倒拣了一块。”坠儿听了笑道：“他问了我好几遍，可有看见他的帕子。我有那么大工夫管这些事！今儿他又问我，他说我替他找着了，他还谢我呢。 才在蘅芜苑门口说的，二爷也听见了，不是我撒谎。好二爷，你既拣了，给我罢。我看他拿什么谢我。”原来上月贾芸进来种树之时，便拣了一块罗帕，便知是所在园内的人失落的， 但不知是那一个人的，故不敢造次。今听见红玉问坠儿，便知是红玉的，心内不胜喜幸。又见坠儿追索，心中早得了主意，便向袖内将自己的一块取了出来，向坠儿笑道：“我给是给你，你若得了他的谢礼，不许瞒着我。”坠儿满口里答应
了，接了手帕子，送出贾芸，回来找红玉，不在话下。
如今且说宝玉打发了贾芸去后， 意思懒懒的歪在床上，似有朦胧之态。袭人便走上来， 坐在床沿上推他，说道：“怎么又要睡觉？闷的很，你出去逛逛不是？"宝玉见说，便拉他的手笑道：“我要去，只是舍不得你。”袭人笑道：“快起来罢！"一面说，一面拉了宝玉起来。 宝玉道：“可往那去呢？怪腻腻烦烦的。”袭人道：“你出去了就好了。只管这么葳蕤，越发心里烦腻。”
宝玉无精打采的， 只得依他。晃出了房门，在回廊上调弄了一回雀儿，出至院外，顺着沁芳溪看了一回金鱼。 只见那边山坡上两只小鹿箭也似的跑来，宝玉不解其意。正自纳闷，只见贾兰在后面拿着一张小弓追了下来，一见宝玉在前面，便站住了，笑道：“二叔叔在家里呢，我只当出门去了。”宝玉道：“你又淘气了。好好的射他作什么？"贾兰笑道：“这会子不念书，闲着作什么？所以演习演习骑射。”宝玉道：“把牙栽了，那时才不演呢。”
说着， 顺着脚一径来至一个院门前，只见凤尾森森，龙吟细细。举目望门上一看，只见匾上写着" 潇湘馆"三字。宝玉信步走入，只见湘帘垂地，悄无人声。走至窗前，觉得一缕幽香从碧纱窗中暗暗透出。 宝玉便将脸贴在纱窗上，往里看时，耳内忽听得细细的长叹了一声道：“‘每日家情思睡昏昏。’"宝玉听了，不觉心内痒将起来，再看时，只见黛玉在床上伸懒腰。宝玉在窗外笑道：“为甚么‘每日家情思睡昏昏’？"一面说，一面掀帘子进来了。
林黛玉自觉忘情，不觉红了脸，拿袖子遮了脸，翻身向里装睡着了。宝玉才走上来要搬他的身子，只见黛玉的奶娘并两个婆子却跟了进来说：“妹妹睡觉呢，等醒了再请来。 "刚说着，黛玉便翻身坐了起来，笑道：“谁睡觉呢。”那两三个婆子见黛玉起来，便笑道：“我们只当姑娘睡着了。”说着，便叫紫鹃说：“姑娘醒了，进来伺侯。”一面说，一面都去了。
黛玉坐在床上，一面抬手整理鬓发，一面笑向宝玉道：“人家睡觉，你进来作什么？" 宝玉见他星眼微饧，香腮带赤，不觉神魂早荡，一歪身坐在椅子上，笑道：“你才说什么？"黛玉道：“我没说什么。”宝玉笑道：“给你个榧子吃！我都听见了。”
二人正说话，只见紫鹃进来。宝玉笑道：“紫鹃，把你们的好茶倒碗我吃。”紫鹃道：“那里是好的呢？要好的，只是等袭人来。”黛玉道：“别理他，你先给我舀水去罢。”紫鹃笑道：“他是客，自然先倒了茶来再舀水去。”说着倒茶去了。宝玉笑道：“好丫头，‘若共你多情小姐同鸳帐，怎舍得叠被铺床？’"林黛玉登时撂下脸来，说道：“二哥哥，你说什么？"宝玉笑道：“我何尝说什么。”黛玉便哭道：“如今新兴的，外头听了村话来，也说给我听，看了混帐书，也来拿我取笑儿。我成了爷们解闷的。”一面哭着，一面下床来往外就走。宝玉不知要怎样，心下慌了，忙赶上来，"好妹妹，我一时该死，你别告诉去。我再要敢，嘴上就长个疔，烂了舌头。”正说着，只见袭人走来说道：“快回去穿衣服，老爷叫你呢。 "宝玉听了，不觉打了个雷的一般，也顾不得别的，疾忙回来穿衣服。出园来，只见焙茗在二门前等着，宝玉便问道：“你可知道叫我是为什么？"焙茗道：“爷快出来罢，横竖是见去的，到那里就知道了。”一面说，一面催着宝玉。
转过大厅， 宝玉心里还自狐疑，只听墙角边一阵呵呵大笑，回头只见薛蟠拍着手笑了出来，笑道：“要不说姨夫叫你，你那里出来的这么快。”焙茗也笑道：“爷别怪我。”忙跪下了。 宝玉怔了半天，方解过来了，是薛蟠哄他出来。薛蟠连忙打恭作揖陪不是，又求" 不要难为了小子，都是我逼他去的。”宝玉也无法了，只好笑问道：“你哄我也罢了， 怎么说我父亲呢？我告诉姨娘去，评评这个理，可使得么？"薛蟠忙道：“好兄弟，我原为求你快些出来，就忘了忌讳这句话。改日你也哄我，说我的父亲就完了。”宝玉道：“ 嗳，嗳，越发该死了。”又向焙茗道：“反叛у的，还跪着作什么！"焙茗连忙叩头起来。薛蟠道：“要不是我也不敢惊动，只因明儿五月初三日是我的生日，谁知古董行的程日兴， 他不知那里寻了来的这么粗这么长粉脆的鲜藕，这么大的大西瓜，这么长一尾新鲜的鲟鱼， 这么大的一个暹罗国进贡的灵柏香熏的暹猪。你说，他这四样礼可难得不难得？ 那鱼，猪不过贵而难得，这藕和瓜亏他怎么种出来的。我连忙孝敬了母亲，赶着给你们老太太， 姨父，姨母送了些去。如今留了些，我要自己吃，恐怕折福，左思右想，除我之外，惟有你还配吃，所以特请你来。可巧唱曲儿的小么儿又才来了，我同你乐一天何如？ "一面说，一面来至他书房里。只见詹光，程日兴，胡斯来，单聘仁等并唱曲儿的都在这里， 见他进来，请安的，问好的，都彼此见过了。吃了茶，薛蟠即命人摆酒来。说犹未了，众小厮七手八脚摆了半天，方才停当归坐。宝玉果见瓜藕新异，因笑道：“我的寿礼还未送来，倒先扰了。”薛蟠道：“可是呢，明儿你送我什么？"宝玉道：“我可有什么可送的？ 若论银钱吃的穿的东西，究竟还不是我的，惟有我写一张字，画一张画，才算是我的。”
薛蟠笑道：“你提画儿，我才想起来。昨儿我看人家一张春宫，画的着实好。上面还有许多的字， 也没细看，只看落的款，是‘庚黄’画的。真真的好的了不得！"宝玉听说，心下猜疑道：“古今字画也都见过些，那里有个‘庚黄’？"想了半天，不觉笑将起来，命人取过笔来，在手心里写了两个字，又问薛蟠道：“你看真了是‘庚黄’？"薛蟠道：“怎么看不真！"宝玉将手一撒，与他看道：“别是这两字罢？其实与‘庚黄’相去不远。”众人都看时， 原来是"唐寅"两个字，都笑道：“想必是这两字，大爷一时眼花了也未可知"。薛蟠只觉没意思， 笑道：“谁知他‘糖银’‘果银’的。”正说着，小厮来回"冯大爷来了"。宝玉便知是神武将军冯唐之子冯紫英来了。 薛蟠等一齐都叫"快请"。说犹未了，只见冯紫英一路说笑， 已进来了。众人忙起席让坐。冯紫英笑道：“好呀！也不出门了，在家里高乐罢。 "宝玉薛蟠都笑道：“一向少会，老世伯身上康健？"紫英答道：“家父倒也托庇康健。 近来家母偶着了些风寒，不好了两天。”薛蟠见他面上有些青伤，便笑道：“这脸上又和谁挥拳的？挂了幌子了。”冯紫英笑道：“从那一遭把仇都尉的儿子打伤了，我就记了再不怄气，如何又挥拳？这个脸上，是前日打围，在铁网山教兔鹘捎一翅膀。”宝玉道：“几时的话？"紫英道：“三月二十八日去的，前儿也就回来了。”宝玉道：“怪道前儿初三四儿， 我在沈世兄家赴席不见你呢。我要问，不知怎么就忘了。单你去了，还是老世伯也去了？"紫英道：“可不是家父去，我没法儿，去罢了。难道我闲疯了，咱们几个人吃酒听唱的不乐，寻那个苦恼去？这一次，大不幸之中又大幸。”
薛蟠众人见他吃完了茶， 都说道：“且入席，有话慢慢的说。”冯紫英听说，便立起身来说道：论理，我该陪饮几杯才是，只是今儿有一件大大要紧的事，回去还要见家父面回，实不敢领。薛蟠宝玉众人那里肯依，死拉着不放。冯紫英笑道：“这又奇了。你我这些年， 那回儿有这个道理的？果然不能遵命。若必定叫我领，拿大杯来，我领两杯就是了。”众人听说，只得罢了，薛蟠执壶，宝玉把盏，斟了两大海。那冯紫英站着，一气而尽。 宝玉道：“你到底把这个‘不幸之幸’说完了再走。”冯紫英笑道：“今儿说的也不尽兴。我为这个，还要特治一东，请你们去细谈一谈，二则还有所恳之处。”说着执手就走。薛蟠道：“越发说的人热剌剌的丢不下。多早晚才请我们，告诉了。也免的人犹疑。”冯紫英道：“多则十日，少则八天。”一面说，一面出门上马去了。众人回来，依席又饮了一回方散。
宝玉回至园中， 袭人正记挂着他去见贾政，不知是祸是福，只见宝玉醉醺醺的回来， 问其原故，宝玉一一向他说了。袭人道：“人家牵肠挂肚的等着，你且高乐去，也到底打发人来给个信儿。”宝玉道：“我何尝不要送信儿，只因冯世兄来了，就混忘了。”正说，只见宝钗走进来笑道：“偏了我们新鲜东西了。”宝玉笑道：“姐姐家的东西，自然先偏了我们了。”宝钗摇头笑道：“昨儿哥哥倒特特的请我吃，我不吃，叫他留着请人送人罢。 我知道我的命小福薄，不配吃那个。”说着，丫鬟倒了茶来，吃茶说闲话儿，不在话下。
却说那林黛玉听见贾政叫了宝玉去了，一日不回来，心中也替他忧虑。至晚饭后，闻听宝玉来了，心里要找他问问是怎么样了。一步步行来，见宝钗进宝玉的院内去了，自己也便随后走了来。刚到了沁芳桥，只见各色水禽都在池中浴水，也认不出名色来，但见一个个文彩炫耀， 好看异常，因而站住看了一会。再往怡红院来，只见院门关着，黛玉便以手扣门。
谁知晴雯和碧痕正拌了嘴，没好气，忽见宝钗来了，那晴雯正把气移在宝钗身上，正在院内抱怨说：“有事没事跑了来坐着，叫我们三更半夜的不得睡觉！"忽听又有人叫门，晴雯越发动了气，也并不问是谁，便说道：“都睡下了，明儿再来罢！"林黛玉素知丫头们的情性， 他们彼此顽耍惯了，恐怕院内的丫头没听真是他的声音，只当是别的丫头们来了，所以不开门，因而又高声说道：“是我，还不开么？"晴雯偏生还没听出来，便使性子说道：“凭你是谁，二爷吩咐的，一概不许放人进来呢！"林黛玉听了，不觉气怔在门外， 待要高声问他，逗起气来，自己又回思一番：“虽说是舅母家如同自己家一样，到底是客边。如今父母双亡，无依无靠，现在他家依栖。如今认真淘气，也觉没趣。”一面想， 一面又滚下泪珠来。正是回去不是，站着不是。正没主意，只听里面一阵笑语之声，细听一听，竟是宝玉‘宝钗二人。林黛玉心中益发动了气，左思右想，忽然想起了早起的事来：“必竟是宝玉恼我要告他的原故。但只我何尝告你了，你也打听打听，就恼我到这步田地。 你今儿不叫我进来，难道明儿就不见面了！"越想越伤感起来，也不顾苍苔露冷，花径风寒，独立墙角边花阴之下，悲悲戚戚呜咽起来。原来这林黛玉秉绝代姿容，具希世俊美，不期这一哭，那附近柳枝花朵上的宿鸟栖鸦一闻此声，俱忒楞楞飞起远避，不忍再听。真是：
花魂默默无情绪，鸟梦痴痴何处惊。因有一首诗道：
颦儿才貌世应希，独抱幽芳出绣闺，
呜咽一声犹未了，落花满地鸟惊飞。那林黛玉正自啼哭，忽听"吱喽"一声，院门开处，不知是那一个出来。要知端的，且听下回分解。
On the Feng Yao bridge, Hsiao Hung makes known sentimental matters in equivocal language. In the Hsiao Hsiang lodge, Tai-yue gives, while under the effects of the spring lassitude, expression to her secret feelings.
After thirty days' careful nursing, Pao-yue, we will now notice, not only got strong and hale in body, but the scars even on his face completely healed up; so he was able to shift his quarters again into the garden of Broad Vista.
But we will banish this topic as it does not deserve any additional explanations. Let us now turn our attention elsewhere. During the time that Pao-yue was of late laid up in bed, Chia Yuen along with the young pages of the household sat up on watch to keep an eye over him, and both day and night, they tarried on this side of the mansion. But Hsiao Hung as well as all the other waiting-maids remained in the same part to nurse Pao-yue, so (Chia Yuen) and she saw a good deal of each other on several occasions, and gradually an intimacy sprung up between them.
Hsiao Hung observed that Chia Yuen held in his hand a handkerchief very much like the one she herself had dropped some time ago and was bent upon asking him for it, but she did, on the other hand, not think she could do so with propriety. The unexpected visit of the bonze and Taoist priest rendered, however, superfluous the services of the various male attendants, and Chia-yuen had therefore to go again and oversee the men planting the trees. Now she had a mind to drop the whole question, but she could not reconcile herself to it; and now she longed to go and ask him about it, but fears rose in her mind lest people should entertain any suspicions as to the relations that existed between them. But just as she faltered, quite irresolute, and her heart was thoroughly unsettled, she unawares heard some one outside inquire: "Sister, are you in the room or not?"
Hsiao Hung, upon catching this question, looked out through a hole in the window; and perceiving at a glance that it was no one else than a young servant-girl, attached to the same court as herself, Chia Hui by name, she consequently said by way of reply: "Yes, I am; come in!"
When these words reached her ear, Chia Hui ran in, and taking at once a seat on the bed, she observed with a smile: "How lucky I've been! I was a little time back in the court washing a few things, when Pao-yue cried out that some tea should be sent over to Miss Lin, and sister Hua handed it to me to go on the errand. By a strange coincidence our old lady had presented some money to Miss Lin and she was engaged at the moment in distributing it among their servant-girls. As soon therefore as she saw me get there, Miss Lin forthwith grasped two handfuls of cash and gave them to me; how many there are I don't know, but do keep them for me!"
Speedily then opening her handkerchief, she emptied the cash. Hsiao Hung counted them for her by fives and tens at a time. She was beginning to put them away, when Chia Hui remarked: "How are you, after all, feeling of late in your mind? I'll tell you what; you should really go and stay at home for a couple of days. And were you to ask a doctor round and to have a few doses of medicine you'll get all right at once!"
"What are you talking about?" Hsiao Hung replied. "What shall I go home for, when there's neither rhyme nor reason for it!"
"Miss Lin, I remember, is naturally of a weak physique, and has constantly to take medicines," Chia Hui added, "so were you to ask her for some and bring them over and take them, it would come to the same thing."
"Nonsense!" rejoined Hsiao Hung, "are medicines also to be recklessly taken ?"
"You can't so on for ever like this," continued Chia Hui; "you're besides loth to eat and loth to drink, and what will you be like in the long run?"
"What's there to fear?" observed Hsiao Hung; "won't it anyhow be better to die a little earlier? It would be a riddance!"
"Why do you deliberately come out with all this talk?" Chia Hui demurred.
"How could you ever know anything of the secrets of my heart?" Hsiao Hung inquired.
Chia Hui nodded her head and gave way to reflection. "I don't think it strange on your part," she said after a time; "for it is really difficult to abide in this place! Yesterday, for instance, our dowager lady remarked that the servants in attendance had had, during all the days that Pao-yue was ill, a good deal to put up with, and that now that he has recovered, incense should be burnt everywhere, and the vows fulfilled; and she expressed a wish that those in his service should, one and all, be rewarded according to their grade. I and several others can be safely looked upon as young in years, and unworthy to presume so high; so I don't feel in any way aggrieved; but how is it that one like you couldn't be included in the number? My heart is much annoyed at it! Had there been any fear that Hsi Jen would have got ten times more, I could not even then have felt sore against her, for she really deserves it! I'll just tell you an honest truth; who else is there like her? Not to speak of the diligence and carefulness she has displayed all along, even had she not been so diligent and careful, she couldn't have been set aside! But what is provoking is that that lot, like Ch'ing Wen and Ch'i Hsia, should have been included in the upper class. Yet it's because every one places such reliance on the fine reputation of their father and mother that they exalt them. Now, do tell me, is this sufficient to anger one or not?"
"It won't do to be angry with them!" Hsiao Hung observed. "The proverb says: 'You may erect a shed a thousand _li_ long, but there is no entertainment from which the guests will not disperse!' And who is it that will tarry here for a whole lifetime? In another three years or five years every single one of us will have gone her own way; and who will, when that time comes, worry her mind about any one else?"
These allusions had the unexpected effect of touching Chia Hui to the heart; and in spite of herself the very balls of her eyes got red. But so uneasy did she feel at crying for no reason that she had to exert herself to force a smile. "What you say is true," she ventured. "And yet, Pao-yue even yesterday explained how the rooms should be arranged by and bye; and how the clothes should be made, just as if he was bound to hang on to dear life for several hundreds of years."
Hsiao Hung, at these words, gave a couple of sardonic smiles. But when about to pass some remark, she perceived a youthful servant-girl, who had not as yet let her hair grow, walk in, holding in her hands several patterns and two sheets of paper. "You are asked," she said, "to trace these two designs!"
As she spoke, she threw them at Hsiao Hung, and twisting herself round, she immediately scampered away.
"Whose are they, after all?" Hsiao Hung inquired, addressing herself outside. "Couldn't you wait even so much as to conclude what you had to say, but flew off at once? Who is steaming bread and waiting for you? Or are you afraid, forsooth, lest it should get cold?"
"They belong to sister Ch'i," the young servant-girl merely returned for answer from outside the window; and raising her feet high, she ran tramp-tramp on her way back again.
Hsiao Hung lost control over her temper, and snatching the designs, she flung them on one side. She then rummaged in a drawer for a pencil, but finding, after a prolonged search, that they were all blunt; "Where did I," she thereupon ejaculated, "put that brand-new pencil the other day? How is it I can't remember where it is?"
While she soliloquised, she became wrapt in thought. After some reflection she, at length, gave a smile. "Of course!" she exclaimed, "the other evening Ying Erh took it away." And turning towards Chia Hui, "Fetch it for me," she shouted.
"Sister Hua," Chia Hui rejoined, "is waiting for me to get a box for her, so you had better go for it yourself!"
"What!" remarked Hsiao Hung, "she's waiting for you, and are you still squatting here chatting leisurely? Hadn't it been that I asked you to go and fetch it, she too wouldn't have been waiting for you; you most perverse vixen!"
With these words on her lips, she herself walked out of the room, and leaving the I Hung court, she straightway proceeded in the direction of Pao-ch'ai's court. As soon, however, as she reached the Hsin Fang pavilion, she saw dame Li, Pao-yue's nurse, appear in view from the opposite side; so Hsiao Hung halted and putting on a smile, "Nurse Li," she asked, "where are you, old dame, bound for? How is it you're coming this way?"
Nurse Li stopped short, and clapped her hands. "Tell me," she said, "has he deliberately again gone and fallen in love with that Mr. something or other like Yun (cloud), or Yue (rain)? They now insist upon my bringing him inside, but if they get wind of it by and bye in the upper rooms, it won't again be a nice thing."
"Are you, old lady," replied Hsiao Hung smiling, "taking things in such real earnest that you readily believe them and want to go and ask him in here?"
"What can I do?" rejoined nurse Li.
"Why, that fellow," added Hsiao Hung laughingly, "will, if he has any idea of decency, do the right thing and not come."
"Besides, he's not a fool!" pleaded nurse Li; "so why shouldn't he come in?"
"Well, if he is to come," answered Hsiao Hung, "it will devolve upon you, worthy dame, to lead him along with you; for were you by and bye to let him penetrate inside all alone and knock recklessly about, why, it won't do at all."
"Have I got all that leisure," retorted nurse Li, "to trudge along with him? I'll simply tell him to come; and later on I can despatch a young servant-girl or some old woman to bring him in, and have done."
Saying this, she continued her way, leaning on her staff.
After listening to her rejoinder, Hsiao Hung stood still; and plunging in abstraction, she did not go and fetch the pencil. But presently, she caught sight of a servant-girl running that way. Espying Hsiao Hung lingering in that spot, "Sister Hung," she cried, "what are you doing in here?"
Hsiao Hung raised her head, and recognised a young waiting-maid called Chui Erh. "Where are you off too?" Hsiao Hung asked.
"I've been told to bring in master Secundus, Mr. Yuen," Chui Erh replied. After which answer, she there and then departed with all speed.
Hsiao Hung reached, meanwhile, the Feng Yao bridge. As soon as she approached the gateway, she perceived Chui Erh coming along with Chia Yuen from the opposite direction. While advancing Chia Yuen ogled Hsiao Hung; and Hsiao Hung too, though pretending to be addressing herself to Chui Erh, cast a glance at Chia Yuen; and their four eyes, as luck would have it, met. Hsiao Hung involuntarily blushed all over; and turning herself round, she walked off towards the Heng Wu court. But we will leave her there without further remarks.
During this time, Chia Yuen followed Chui Erh, by a circuitous way, into the I Hung court. Chui Erh entered first and made the necessary announcement. Then subsequently she ushered in Chia Yuen. When Chia Yuen scrutinised the surroundings, he perceived, here and there in the court, several blocks of rockery, among which were planted banana-trees. On the opposite side were two storks preening their feathers under the fir trees. Under the covered passage were suspended, in a row, cages of every description, containing all sorts of fairylike, rare birds. In the upper part were five diminutive anterooms, uniformly carved with, unique designs; and above the framework of the door was hung a tablet with the inscription in four huge characters--"I Hung K'uai Lue, the happy red and joyful green."
"I thought it strange," Chia Yuen argued mentally, "that it should be called the I Hung court; but are these, in fact, the four characters inscribed on the tablet!"
But while he was communing within himself, he heard some one laugh and then exclaim from the inner side of the gauze window: "Come in at once! How is it that I've forgotten you these two or three months?"
As soon as Chia Yuen recognised Pao-yue's voice, he entered the room with hurried step. On raising his head, his eye was attracted by the brilliant splendour emitted by gold and jade and by the dazzling lustre of the elegant arrangements. He failed, however, to detect where Pao-yue was ensconced. The moment he turned his head round, he espied, on the left side, a large cheval-glass; behind which appeared to view, standing side by side, two servant-girls of fifteen or sixteen years of age. "Master Secundus," they ventured, "please take a seat in the inner room."
Chia Yuen could not even muster courage to look at them straight in the face; but promptly assenting, he walked into a green gauze mosquito-house, where he saw a small lacquered bed, hung with curtains of a deep red colour, with clusters of flowers embroidered in gold. Pao-yue, wearing a house-dress and slipshod shoes, was reclining on the bed, a book in hand. The moment he perceived Chia Yuen walk in, he discarded his book, and forthwith smiled and raised himself up. Chia Yuen hurriedly pressed forward and paid his salutation. Pao-yue then offered him a seat; but he simply chose a chair in the lower part of the apartment.
"Ever since the moon in which I came across you," Pao-yue observed smilingly, "and told you to come into the library, I've had, who would have thought it, endless things to continuously attend to, so that I forgot all about you."
"It's I, indeed, who lacked good fortune!" rejoined Chia Yuen, with a laugh; "particularly so, as it again happened that you, uncle, fell ill. But are you quite right once more?"
"All right!" answered Pao-yue. "I heard that you've been put to much trouble and inconvenience on a good number of days!"
"Had I even had any trouble to bear," added Chia Yuen, "it would have been my duty to bear it. But your complete recovery, uncle, is really a blessing to our whole family."
As he spoke, he discerned a couple of servant-maids come to help him to a cup of tea. But while conversing with Pao-yue, Chia Yuen was intent upon scrutinising the girl with slim figure, and oval face, and clad in a silvery-red jacket, a blue satin waistcoat and a white silk petticoat with narrow pleats.
At the time of Pao-yue's illness, Chia Yuen had spent a couple of days in the inner apartments, so that he remembered half of the inmates of note, and the moment he set eyes upon this servant-girl he knew that it was Hsi Jen; and that she was in Pao-yue's rooms on a different standing to the rest. Now therefore that she brought the tea in herself and that Pao-yue was, besides, sitting by, he rose to his feet with alacrity and put on a smile. "Sister," he said, "how is it that you are pouring tea for me? I came here to pay uncle a visit; what's more I'm no stranger, so let me pour it with my own hands!"
"Just you sit down and finish!" Pao-yue interposed; "will you also behave in this fashion with servant-girls?"
"In spite of what you say;" remarked Chia Yuen smiling, "they are young ladies attached to your rooms, uncle, and how could I presume to be disorderly in my conduct?"
So saying, he took a seat and drank his tea. Pao-yue then talked to him about trivial and irrelevant matters; and afterwards went on to tell him in whose household the actresses were best, and whose gardens were pretty. He further mentioned to him in whose quarters the servant-girls were handsome, whose banquets were sumptuous, as well as in whose home were to be found strange things, and what family possessed remarkable objects. Chia Yuen was constrained to humour him in his conversation; but after a chat, which lasted for some time, he noticed that Pao-yue was somewhat listless, and he promptly stood up and took his leave. And Pao-yue too did not use much pressure to detain him. "To-morrow, if you have nothing to do, do come over!" he merely observed; after which, he again bade the young waiting-maid, Chui Erh, see him out.
Having left the I Hung court, Chia Yuen cast a glance all round; and, realising that there was no one about, he slackened his pace at once, and while proceeding leisurely, he conversed, in a friendly way, with Chui Erh on one thing and another. First and foremost he inquired of her what was her age; and her name. "Of what standing are your father and mother?" he said, "How many years have you been in uncle Pao's apartments? How much money do you get a month? In all how many girls are there in uncle Pao's rooms?"
As Chui Erh heard the questions set to her, she readily made suitable reply to each.
"The one, who was a while back talking to you," continued Chia Yuen, "is called Hsiao Hung, isn't she?"
"Yes, her name is Hsiao Hung!" replied Chui Erh smiling; "but why do you ask about her?"
"She inquired of you just now about some handkerchief or other," answered Chia Yuen; "well, I've picked one up."
Chui Erh greeted this response with a smile. "Many are the times," she said; "that she has asked me whether I had seen her handkerchief; but have I got all that leisure to worry my mind about such things? She spoke to me about it again to-day; and she suggested that I should find it for her, and that she would also recompense me. This she told me when we were just now at the entrance of the Heng Wu court, and you too, Mr. Secundus, overheard her, so that I'm not lying. But, dear Mr. Secundus, since you've picked it up, give it to me. Do! And I'll see what she will give me as a reward."
The truth is that Chia Yuen had, the previous moon when he had come into the garden to attend to the planting of trees, picked up a handkerchief, which he conjectured must have been dropped by some inmate of those grounds; but as he was not aware whose it was, he did not consequently presume to act with indiscretion. But on this occasion, he overheard Hsiao Hung make inquiries of Chui Erh on the subject; and concluding that it must belong to her, he felt immeasurably delighted. Seeing, besides, how importunate Chui Erh was, he at once devised a plan within himself, and vehemently producing from his sleeve a handkerchief of his own, he observed, as he turned towards Chui Erh with a smile: "As for giving it to you, I'll do so; but in the event of your obtaining any present from her, you mustn't impose upon me."
Chui Erh assented to his proposal most profusely; and, taking the handkerchief, she saw Chia Yuen out and then came back in search of Hsiao Hung. But we will leave her there for the present.
We will now return to Pao-yue. After dismissing Chia Yuen, he lay in such complete listlessness on the bed that he betrayed every sign of being half asleep. Hsi Jen walked up to him, and seated herself on the edge of the bed, and pushing him, "What are you about to go to sleep again," she said. "Would it not do your languid spirits good if you went out for a bit of a stroll?"
Upon hearing her voice, Pao-yue grasped her hand in his. "I would like to go out," he smiled, "but I can't reconcile myself to the separation from you!"
"Get up at once!" laughed Hsi Jen. And as she uttered these words, she pulled Pao-yue up.
"Where can I go?" exclaimed Pao-yue. "I'm quite surfeited with everything."
"Once out you'll be all right," Hsi Jen answered, "but if you simply give way to this languor, you'll be more than ever sick of everything at heart."
Pao-yue could not do otherwise, dull and out of sorts though he was, than accede to her importunities. Strolling leisurely out of the door of the room, he amused himself a little with the birds suspended under the verandah; then he wended his steps outside the court, and followed the course of the Hsin Fang stream; but after admiring the golden fish for a time, he espied, on the opposite hillock, two young deer come rushing down as swift as an arrow. What they were up to Pao-yue could not discern; but while abandoning himself to melancholy, he caught sight of Chia Lan, following behind, with a small bow in his hand, and hurrying down hill in pursuit of them.
As soon as he realised that Pao-yue stood ahead of him, he speedily halted. "Uncle Secundus," he smiled, "are you at home? I imagined you had gone out of doors!"
"You are up to mischief again, eh?" Pao-yue rejoined. "They've done nothing to you, and why shoot at them with your arrows?"
"I had no studies to attend to just now, so, being free with nothing to do," Chia Lan replied laughingly, "I was practising riding and archery."
"Shut up!" exclaimed Pao-yue. "When are you not engaged in practising?"
Saying this, he continued his way and straightway reached the entrance of a court. Here the bamboo foliage was thick, and the breeze sighed gently. This was the Hsiao Hsiang lodge. Pao-yue listlessly rambled in. He saw a bamboo portiere hanging down to the ground. Stillness prevailed. Not a human voice fell on the ear. He advanced as far as the window. Noticing that a whiff of subtle scent stole softly through the green gauze casement, Pao-yue applied his face closely against the frame to peep in, but suddenly he caught the faint sound of a deep sigh and the words: "Day after day my feelings slumber drowsily!" Upon overhearing this exclamation, Pao-yue unconsciously began to feel a prey to inward longings; but casting a second glance, he saw Tai-yue stretching herself on the bed.
"Why is it," smiled Pao-yue, from outside the window, "that your feelings day after day slumber drowsily?" So saying, he raised the portiere and stepped in.
The consciousness that she had not been reticent about her feelings made Tai-yue unwittingly flush scarlet. Taking hold of her sleeve, she screened her face; and, turning her body round towards the inside, she pretended to be fast asleep. Pao-yue drew near her. He was about to pull her round when he saw Tai-yue's nurse enter the apartment, followed by two matrons.
"Is Miss asleep?" they said. "If so, we'll ask her over, when she wakes up."
As these words were being spoken, Tai-yue eagerly twisted herself round and sat up. "Who's asleep?" she laughed.
"We thought you were fast asleep, Miss," smiled the two or three matrons as soon as they perceived Tai-yue get up. This greeting over, they called Tzu Chuean. "Your young mistress," they said, "has awoke; come in and wait on her!"
While calling her, they quitted the room in a body. Tai-yue remained seated on the bed. Raising her arms, she adjusted her hair, and smilingly she observed to Pao-yue, "When people are asleep, what do you walk in for?"
At the sight of her half-closed starlike eyes and of her fragrant cheeks, suffused with a crimson blush, Pao-yue's feelings were of a sudden awakened; so, bending his body, he took a seat on a chair, and asked with a smile: "What were you saying a short while back?"
"I wasn't saying anything," Tai-yue replied.
"What a lie you're trying to ram down my throat!" laughed Pao-yue. "I heard all."
But in the middle of their colloquy, they saw Tzu Chuean enter. Pao-yue then put on a smiling face. "Tzu Chuean!" he cried, "pour me a cup of your good tea!"
"Where's the good tea to be had?" Tzu Chuean answered. "If you want good tea, you'd better wait till Hsi Jen comes."
"Don't heed him!" interposed Tai-yue. "Just go first and draw me some water."
"He's a visitor," remonstrated Tzu Chuean, "and, of course, I should first pour him a cup of tea, and then go and draw the water."
With this answer, she started to serve the tea.
"My dear girl," Pao-yue exclaimed laughingly, "If I could only share the same bridal curtain with your lovable young mistress, would I ever be able (to treat you as a servant) by making you fold the covers and make the beds."
Lin Tai-yue at once drooped her head. "What are you saying?" she remonstrated.
"What, did I say anything?" smiled Pao-yue.
Tai-yue burst into tears. "You've recently," she observed, "got into a new way. Whatever slang you happen to hear outside you come and tell me. And whenever you read any improper book, you poke your fun at me. What! have I become a laughing-stock for gentlemen!"
As she began to cry, she jumped down from bed, and promptly left the room. Pao-yue was at a loss how to act. So agitated was he that he hastily ran up to her, "My dear cousin," he pleaded, "I do deserve death; but don't go and tell any one! If again I venture to utter such kind of language, may blisters grow on my mouth and may my tongue waste away!"
But while appealing to her feelings, he saw Hsi Jen approach him. "Go back at once," she cried, "and put on your clothes as master wants to see you."
At the very mention of his father, Pao-yue felt suddenly as if struck by lightning. Regardless of everything and anything, he rushed, as fast as possible, back to his room, and changing his clothes, he came out into the garden. Here he discovered Pei Ming, standing at the second gateway, waiting for him.
"Do you perchance know what he wants me for?" Pao-yue inquired.
"Master, hurry out at once!" Pei Ming replied. "You must, of course, go and see him. When you get there, you are sure to find out what it's all about."
This said, he urged Pao-yue on, and together they turned past the large pavilion. Pao-yue was, however, still labouring under suspicion, when he heard, from the corner of the wall, a loud outburst of laughter. Upon turning his head round, he caught sight of Hsueeh P'an jump out, clapping his hands. "Hadn't I said that my uncle wanted you?" he laughed. "Would you ever have rushed out with such alacrity?"
Pei Ming also laughed, and fell on his knees. But Pao-yue remained for a long time under the spell of utter astonishment, before he, at length, realised that it was Hsueeh P'au who had inveigled him to come out.
Hsueeh P'an hastily made a salutation and a curtsey, and confessed his fault. He next gave way to entreaties, saying: "Don't punish the young servant, for it is simply I who begged him go."
Pao-yue too had then no other alternative but to smile. "I don't mind your playing your larks on me; but why," he inquired, "did you mention my father? Were I to go and tell my aunt, your mother, to see to the rights and the wrongs of the case, how would you like it?"
"My dear cousin," remarked Hsueeh P'an vehemently, "the primary idea I had in view was to ask you to come out a moment sooner and I forgot to respectfully shun the expression. But by and bye, when you wish to chaff me, just you likewise allude to my father, and we'll thus be square."
"Ai-ya!" exclaimed Pao-yue. "You do more than ever deserve death!!" Then turning again towards Pei Ming, "You ruffian!" he said, "what are you still kneeling for?"
Pei Ming began to bump his head on the ground with vehemence.
"Had it been for anything else," Hsueeh P'an chimed in, "I wouldn't have made bold to disturb you; but it's simply in connection with my birthday which is to-morrow, the third day of the fifth moon. Ch'eng Jih-hsing, who is in that curio shop of ours, unexpectedly brought along, goodness knows where he fished them from, fresh lotus so thick and so long, so mealy and so crisp; melons of this size; and a Siamese porpoise, that long and that big, smoked with cedar, such as is sent as tribute from the kingdom of Siam. Are not these four presents, pray, rare delicacies? The porpoise is not only expensive, but difficult to get, and that kind of lotus and melon must have cost him no end of trouble to grow! I lost no time in presenting some to my mother, and at once sent some to your old grandmother, and my aunt. But a good many of them still remain now; and were I to eat them all alone, it would, I fear, be more than I deserve; so I concluded, after thinking right and left, that there was, besides myself, only you good enough to partake of some. That is why I specially invite you to taste them. But, as luck would have it, a young singing-boy has also come, so what do you say to you and I having a jolly day of it?"
As they talked, they walked; and, as they walked, they reached the interior of the library. Here they discovered a whole assemblage consisting of Tan Kuang, Ch'eng Jih-hsing, Hu Ch'i-lai, Tan T'ing-jen and others, and the singing-boy as well. As soon as these saw Pao-yue walk in, some paid their respects to him; others inquired how he was; and after the interchange of salutations, tea was drunk. Hsueeh P'an then gave orders to serve the wine. Scarcely were the words out of his mouth than the servant-lads bustled and fussed for a long while laying the table. When at last the necessary arrangements had been completed, the company took their seats.
Pao-yue verily found the melons and lotus of an exceptional description. "My birthday presents have not as yet been sent round," he felt impelled to say, a smile on his lips, "and here I come, ahead of them, to trespass on your hospitality."
"Just so!" retorted Hsueeh P'an, "but when you come to-morrow to congratulate me we'll consider what novel kind of present you can give me."
"I've got nothing that I can give you," rejoined Pao-yue. "As far as money, clothes, eatables and other such articles go, they are not really mine: all I can call my own are such pages of characters that I may write, or pictures that I may draw."
"Your reference to pictures," added Hsueeh P'an smiling, "reminds me of a book I saw yesterday, containing immodest drawings; they were, truly, beautifully done. On the front page there figured also a whole lot of characters. But I didn't carefully look at them; I simply noticed the name of the person, who had executed them. It was, in fact, something or other like Keng Huang. The pictures were, actually, exceedingly good!"
This allusion made Pao-yue exercise his mind with innumerable conjectures.
"Of pictures drawn from past years to the present, I have," he said, "seen a good many, but I've never come across any Keng Huang."
After considerable thought, he could not repress himself from bursting out laughing. Then asking a servant to fetch him a pencil, he wrote a couple of words on the palm of his hand. This done, he went on to inquire of Hsueeh. P'an: "Did you see correctly that it read Keng Huang?"
"How could I not have seen correctly?" ejaculated Hsueeh P'an.
Pao-yue thereupon unclenched his hand and allowed him to peruse, what was written in it. "Were they possibly these two characters?" he remarked. "These are, in point of fact, not very dissimilar from what Keng Huang look like?"
On scrutinising them, the company noticed the two words T'ang Yin, and they all laughed. "They must, we fancy, have been these two characters!" they cried. "Your eyes, Sir, may, there's no saying, have suddenly grown dim!"
Hsueeh P'an felt utterly abashed. "Who could have said," he smiled, "whether they were T'ang Yin or Kuo Yin, (candied silver or fruit silver)."
As he cracked this joke, however, a young page came and announced that Mr. Feng had arrived. Pao-yue concluded that the new comer must be Feng Tzu-ying, the son of Feng T'ang, general with the prefix of Shen Wu."
"Ask him in at once," Hsueeh P'an and his companions shouted with one voice.
But barely were these words out of their mouths, than they realised that Feng Tzu-ying had already stepped in, talking and laughing as he approached.
The company speedily rose from table and offered him a seat.
"That's right!" smiled Feng Tzu-ying. "You don't go out of doors, but remain at home and go in for high fun!"
Both Pao-yue and Hsueeh P'an put on a smile. "We haven't," they remarked, "seen you for ever so long. Is your venerable father strong and hale?"
"My father," rejoined Tzu-ying, "is, thanks to you, strong and hale; but my mother recently contracted a sudden chill and has been unwell for a couple of days."
Hsueeh P'an discerned on his face a slight bluish wound. "With whom have you again been boxing," he laughingly inquired, "that you've hung up this sign board?"
"Since the occasion," laughed Feng Tzu-ying, "on which I wounded lieutenant-colonel Ch'ou's son, I've borne the lesson in mind, and never lost my temper. So how is it you say that I've again been boxing? This thing on my face was caused, when I was out shooting the other day on the T'ieh Wang hills, by a flap from the wing of the falcon."
"When was that?" asked Pao-yue.
"I started," explained Tzu-ying, "on the 28th of the third moon and came back only the day before yesterday."
"It isn't to be wondered at then," observed Pao-yue, "that when I went the other day, on the third and fourth, to a banquet at friend Shen's house, I didn't see you there. Yet I meant to have inquired about you; but I don't know how it slipped from my memory. Did you go alone, or did your venerable father accompany you?"
"Of course, my father went," Tzu-ying replied, "so I had no help but to go. For is it likely, forsooth, that I've gone mad from lack of anything to do! Don't we, a goodly number as we are, derive enough pleasure from our wine-bouts and plays that I should go in quest of such kind of fatiguing recreation! But in this instance a great piece of good fortune turned up in evil fortune!"
Hsueeh P'an and his companions noticed that he had finished his tea. "Come along," they one and all proposed, "and join the banquet; you can then quietly recount to us all your experiences."
At this suggestion Feng Tzu-ying there and then rose to his feet. "According to etiquette," he said. "I should join you in drinking a few cups; but to-day I have still a very urgent matter to see my father about on my return so that I truly cannot accept your invitation."
Hsueeh P'an, Pao-yue and the other young fellows would on no account listen to his excuses. They pulled him vigorously about and would not let him go.
"This is, indeed, strange!" laughed Feng Tzu-ying. "When have you and I had, during all these years, to have recourse to such proceedings! I really am unable to comply with your wishes. But if you do insist upon making me have a drink, well, then bring a large cup and I'll take two cups full and finish."
After this rejoinder, the party could not but give in. Hsueeh P'an took hold of the kettle, while Pao-yue grasped the cup, and they poured two large cups full. Feng Tzu-ying stood up and quaffed them with one draught.
"But do, after all," urged Pao-yue, "finish this thing about a piece of good fortune in the midst of misfortune before you go."
"To tell you this to-day," smiled Feng Tzu-ying, "will be no great fun. But for this purpose I intend standing a special entertainment, and inviting you all to come and have a long chat; and, in the second place, I've also got a favour to ask of you."
Saying this, he pushed his way and was going off at once, when Hsueeh P'an interposed. "What you've said," he observed, "has put us more than ever on pins and needles. We cannot brook any delay. Who knows when you will ask us round; so better tell us, and thus avoid keeping people in suspense!"
"The latest," rejoined Feng Tzu-ying, "in ten days; the earliest in eight." With this answer he went out of the door, mounted his horse, and took his departure.
The party resumed their seats at table. They had another bout, and then eventually dispersed.
Pao-yue returned into the garden in time to find Hsi Jen thinking with solicitude that he had gone to see Chia Cheng and wondering whether it foreboded good or evil. As soon as she perceived Pao-yue come back in a drunken state, she felt urged to inquire the reason of it all. Pao-yue told her one by one the particulars of what happened.
"People," added Hsi Jen, "wait for you with lacerated heart and anxious mind, and there you go and make merry; yet you could very well, after all, have sent some one with a message."
"Didn't I purpose sending a message?" exclaimed Pao-yue. "Of course, I did! But I failed to do so, as on the arrival of friend Feng, I got so mixed up that the intention vanished entirely from my mind."
While excusing himself, he saw Pao-ch'ai enter the apartment. "Have you tasted any of our new things?" she asked, a smile curling her lips.
"Cousin," laughed Pao-yue, "you must have certainly tasted what you've got in your house long before us."
Pao-ch'ai shook her head and smiled. "Yesterday," she said, "my brother did actually make it a point to ask me to have some; but I had none; I told him to keep them and send them to others, so confident am I that with my mean lot and scanty blessings I little deserve to touch such dainties."
As she spoke, a servant-girl poured her a cup of tea and brought it to her. While she sipped it, she carried on a conversation on irrelevant matters; which we need not notice, but turn our attention to Lin Tai-yue.
The instant she heard that Chia Cheng had sent for Pao-yue, and that he had not come back during the whole day, she felt very distressed on his account. After supper, the news of Pao-yue's return reached her, and she keenly longed to see him and ask him what was up. Step by step she trudged along, when espying Pao-ch'ai going into Pao-yue's garden, she herself followed close in her track. But on their arrival at the Hsin Fang bridge, she caught sight of the various kinds of water-fowl, bathing together in the pond, and although unable to discriminate the numerous species, her gaze became so transfixed by their respective variegated and bright plumage and by their exceptional beauty, that she halted. And it was after she had spent some considerable time in admiring them that she repaired at last to the I Hung court. The gate was already closed. Tai-yue, however, lost no time in knocking. But Ch'ing Wen and Pi Hen had, who would have thought it, been having a tiff, and were in a captious mood, so upon unawares seeing Pao-ch'ai step on the scene, Ch'ing Wen at once visited her resentment upon Pao-ch'ai. She was just standing in the court giving vent to her wrongs, shouting: "You're always running over and seating yourself here, whether you've got good reason for doing so or not; and there's no sleep for us at the third watch, the middle of the night though it be," when, all of a sudden, she heard some one else calling at the door. Ch'ing Wen was the more moved to anger. Without even asking who it was, she rapidly bawled out: "They've all gone to sleep; you'd better come to-morrow."
Lin Tai-yue was well aware of the natural peculiarities of the waiting-maids, and of their habit of playing practical jokes upon each other, so fearing that the girl in the inner room had failed to recognise her voice, and had refused to open under the misconception that it was some other servant-girl, she gave a second shout in a higher pitch. "It's I!" she cried, "don't you yet open the gate?"
Ch'ing Wen, as it happened, did not still distinguish her voice; and in an irritable strain, she rejoined: "It's no matter who you may be; Mr. Secundus has given orders that no one at all should be allowed to come in."
As these words reached Lin Tai-yue's ear, she unwittingly was overcome with indignation at being left standing outside. But when on the point of raising her voice to ask her one or two things, and to start a quarrel with her; "albeit," she again argued mentally, "I can call this my aunt's house, and it should be just as if it were my own, it's, after all, a strange place, and now that my father and mother are both dead, and that I am left with no one to rely upon, I have for the present to depend upon her family for a home. Were I now therefore to give way to a regular fit of anger with her, I'll really get no good out of it."
While indulging in reflection, tears trickled from her eyes. But just as she was feeling unable to retrace her steps, and unable to remain standing any longer, and quite at a loss what to do, she overheard the sound of jocular language inside, and listening carefully, she discovered that it was, indeed, Pao-yue and Pao-ch'ai. Lin Tai-yue waxed more wroth. After much thought and cogitation, the incidents of the morning flashed unawares through her memory. "It must, in fact," she mused, "be because Pao-yue is angry with me for having explained to him the true reasons. But why did I ever go and tell you? You should, however, have made inquiries before you lost your temper to such an extent with me as to refuse to let me in to-day; but is it likely that we shall not by and bye meet face to face again?"
The more she gave way to thought, the more she felt wounded and agitated; and without heeding the moss, laden with cold dew, the path covered with vegetation, and the chilly blasts of wind, she lingered all alone, under the shadow of the bushes at the corner of the wall, so thoroughly sad and dejected that she broke forth into sobs.
Lin Tai-yue was, indeed, endowed with exceptional beauty and with charms rarely met with in the world. As soon therefore as she suddenly melted into tears, and the birds and rooks roosting on the neighbouring willow boughs and branches of shrubs caught the sound of her plaintive tones, they one and all fell into a most terrific flutter, and, taking to their wings, they flew away to distant recesses, so little were they able to listen with equanimity to such accents. But the spirits of the flowers were, at the time, silent and devoid of feeling, the birds were plunged in dreams and in a state of stupor, so why did they start? A stanza appositely assigns the reason:--
P'in Erh's mental talents and looks must in the world be rare--. Alone, clasped in a subtle smell, she quits her maiden room. The sound of but one single sob scarcely dies away, And drooping flowers cover the ground and birds fly in dismay.
Lin Tai-yue was sobbing in her solitude, when a creaking noise struck her ear and the door of the court was flung open. Who came out, is not yet ascertained; but, reader, should you wish to know, the next chapter will explain.
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