中国经典 》 红楼梦 A Dream of Red Mansions 》
第三十一回 撕扇子作千金一笑 因麒麟伏白首双星 CHAPTER XXXI.
曹雪芹 Cao Xueqin
高鹗 Gao E
CHAPTER XXXI.
话说袭人见了自己吐的鲜血在地，也就冷了半截，想着往日常听人说：“少年吐血，年月不保，纵然命长，终是废人了。”想起此言，不觉将素日想着后来争荣夸耀之心尽皆灰了，眼中不觉滴下泪来。宝玉见他哭了，也不觉心酸起来，因问道：“你心里觉的怎么样？"袭人勉强笑道：“好好的，觉怎么呢！"宝玉的意思即刻便要叫人烫黄酒， 要山羊血黎洞丸来。袭人拉了他的手，笑道：“你这一闹不打紧，闹起多少人来，倒抱怨我轻狂。分明人不知道，倒闹的人知道了，你也不好，我也不好。 正经明儿你打发小子问问王太医去，弄点子药吃吃就好了。人不知鬼不觉的可不好？"宝玉听了有理，也只得罢了，向案上斟了茶来，给袭人漱了口。袭人知道宝玉心内是不安稳的，待要不叫他伏侍，他又必不依，二则定要惊动别人，不如由他去罢： 因此只在榻上由宝玉去伏侍。一交五更，宝玉也顾不的梳洗，忙穿衣出来，将王济仁叫来， 亲自确问。王济仁问原故，不过是伤损，便说了个丸药的名字，怎么服，怎么敷。宝玉记了，回园依方调治。不在话下。
这日正是端阳佳节， 蒲艾簪门，虎符系臂。午间，王夫人治了酒席，请薛家母女等赏午。宝玉见宝钗淡淡的，也不和他说话，自知是昨儿的原故。王夫人见宝玉没精打彩， 也只当是金钏儿昨日之事，他没好意思的，越发不理他。林黛玉见宝玉懒懒的，只当是他因为得罪了宝钗的原故， 心中不自在，形容也就懒懒的。凤姐昨日晚间王夫人就告诉了他宝玉金钏的事， 知道王夫人不自在，自己如何敢说笑，也就随着王夫人的气色行事， 更觉淡淡的。贾迎春姊妹见众人无意思，也都无意思了。因此，大家坐了一坐就散了。
林黛玉天性喜散不喜聚。他想的也有个道理，他说，"人有聚就有散，聚时欢喜，到散时岂不冷清？既清冷则伤感，所以不如倒是不聚的好。比如那花开时令人爱慕，谢时则增惆怅， 所以倒是不开的好。”故此人以为喜之时，他反以为悲。那宝玉的情性只愿常聚， 生怕一时散了添悲，那花只愿常开，生怕一时谢了没趣；只到筵散花谢，虽有万种悲伤，也就无可如何了。因此，今日之筵，大家无兴散了，林黛玉倒不觉得，倒是宝玉心中闷闷不乐， 回至自己房中长吁短叹。偏生晴雯上来换衣服，不防又把扇子失了手跌在地下，将股子跌折。宝玉因叹道：“蠢才，蠢才！将来怎么样？明日你自己当家立事，难道也是这么顾前不顾后的？"晴雯冷笑道：“二爷近来气大的很，行动就给脸子瞧。前儿连袭人都打了，今儿又来寻我们的不是。要踢要打凭爷去。就是跌了扇子，也是平常的事。先时连那么样的玻璃缸，玛瑙碗不知弄坏了多少，也没见个大气儿，这会子一把扇子就这么着了。 何苦来！要嫌我们就打发我们，再挑好的使。好离好散的，倒不好？"宝玉听了这些话，气的浑身乱战，因说道：“你不用忙，将来有散的日子！”
袭人在那边早已听见，忙赶过来向宝玉道：“好好的，又怎么了？可是我说的‘一时我不到，就有事故儿’。”晴雯听了冷笑道：“姐姐既会说，就该早来属山西绛县）人。官至尚书左仆射。患时俗放荡，儒术冷落，也省了爷生气。自古以来，就是你一个人伏侍爷的，我们原没伏侍过。因为你伏侍的好，昨日才挨窝心脚， 我们不会伏侍的，到明儿还不知是个什么罪呢！"袭人听了这话，又是恼，又是愧，待要说几句话，又见宝玉已经气的黄了脸，少不得自己忍了性子，推晴雯道：“好妹妹，你出去逛逛， 原是我们的不是。”晴雯听他说"我们"两个字，自然是他和宝玉了，不觉又添了酸意，冷笑几声，道：“我倒不知道你们是谁，别教我替你们害臊了！便是你们鬼鬼祟祟干的那事儿，也瞒不过我去，那里就称起‘我们’来了。明公正道，连个姑娘还没挣上去呢，也不过和我似的，那里就称上‘我们’了！"袭人羞的脸紫胀起来，想一想，原来是自己把话说错了。宝玉一面说：“你们气不忿，我明儿偏抬举他。”袭人忙拉了宝玉的手道：“他一个糊涂人，你和他分证什么？况且你素日又是有担待的，比这大的过去了多少，今儿是怎么了？"晴雯冷笑道：“我原是糊涂人，那里配和我说话呢！"袭人听说道：“姑娘倒是和我拌嘴呢，是和二爷拌嘴呢？要是心里恼我，你只和我说，不犯着当着二爷吵， 要是恼二爷，不该这们吵的万人知道。我才也不过为了事，进来劝开了，大家保重。 姑娘倒寻上我的晦气。又不象是恼我，又不象是恼二爷，夹枪带棒，终久是个什么主意？我就不多说，让你说去。”说着便往外走。宝玉向晴雯道：“你也不用生气，我也猜着你的心事了。我回太太去，你也大了，打发你出去好不好？"晴雯听了这话，不觉又伤心起来，含泪说道：“为什么我出去？要嫌我，变着法儿打发我出去，也不能够。”宝玉道：“我何曾经过这个吵闹？一定是你要出去了。不如回太太，打发你去吧。”说着，站起来就要走。袭人忙回身拦住，笑道：“往那里去？"宝玉道：“回太太去。”袭人笑道：“好没意思！ 真个的去回，你也不怕臊了？便是他认真的要去，也等把这气下去了，等无事中说话儿回了太太也不迟。这会子急急的当作一件正经事去回，岂不叫太太犯疑？"宝玉道：“太太必不犯疑，我只明说是他闹着要去的。”晴雯哭道：“我多早晚闹着要去了？饶生了气，还拿话压派我。只管去回，我一头碰死了也不出这门儿。”宝玉道：“这也奇了。你又不去，你又闹些什么？我经不起这吵，不如去了倒干净。”说着一定要去回。袭人见拦不住，只得跪下了。碧痕，秋纹，麝月等众丫鬟见吵闹，都鸦雀无闻的在外头听消息，这会子听见袭人跪下央求，便一齐进来都跪下了。宝玉忙把袭人扶起来，叹了一声，在床上坐下， 叫众人起去，向袭人道：“叫我怎么样才好！这个心使碎了也没人知道。”说着不觉滴下泪来。袭人见宝玉流下泪来，自己也就哭了。
晴雯在旁哭着，方欲说话，只见林黛玉进来，便出去了。林黛玉笑道：“大节下怎么好好的哭起来？难道是为争粽子吃争恼
了不成？"宝玉和袭人嗤的一笑。黛玉道：“二哥哥不告诉我，我问你就知道了。”一面说， 一面拍着袭人的肩，笑道：“好嫂子，你告诉我。必定是你两个拌了嘴了。告诉妹妹，替你们和劝和劝。”袭人推他道：“林姑娘你闹什么？我们一个丫头，姑娘只是混说。” 黛玉笑道：“你说你是丫头，我只拿你当嫂子待。”宝玉道：“你何苦来替他招骂名儿。饶这么着， 还有人说闲话，还搁的住你来说他。”袭人笑道：“林姑娘，你不知道我的心事， 除非一口气不来死了倒也罢了。”林黛玉笑道：“你死了，别人不知怎么样，我先就哭死了。”宝玉笑道：“你死了，我作和尚去。”袭人笑道：“你老实些罢，何苦还说这些话。”林黛玉将两个指头一伸，抿嘴笑道：“作了两个和尚了。我从今以后都记着你作和尚的遭数儿。”宝玉听得，知道是他点前儿的话，自己一笑也就罢了。
一时黛玉去后， 就有人说"薛大爷请"，宝玉只得去了。原来是吃酒，不能推辞，只得尽席而散。晚间回来点及由此生发的人道思想和人性论。，已带了几分酒，踉跄来至自己院内，只见院中早把乘凉枕榻设下， 榻上有个人睡着。宝玉只当是袭人，一面在榻沿上坐下，一面推他，问道：“疼的好些了？"只见那人翻身起来说：“何苦来，又招我！"宝玉一看，原来不是袭人，却是晴雯。宝玉将他一拉，拉在身旁坐下，笑道：“你的性子越发惯娇了。早起就是跌了扇子，我不过说了那两句， 你就说上那些话。说我也罢了，袭人好意来劝，你又括上他，你自己想想，该不该？"晴雯道：“怪热的，拉拉扯扯作什么！叫人来看见象什么！我这身子也不配坐在这里。”宝玉笑道：“你既知道不配，为什么睡着呢？"晴雯没的话，嗤的又笑了，说：“你不来便使得，你来了就不配了。起来，让我洗澡去。袭人麝月都洗了澡。我叫了他们来。”宝玉笑道：“我才又吃了好些酒，还得洗一洗。你既没有洗，拿了水来咱们两个洗。”晴雯摇手笑道：“罢，罢，我不敢惹爷。还记得碧痕打发你洗澡，足有两三个时辰，也不知道作什么呢。 我们也不好进去的。后来洗完了，进去瞧瞧，地下的水淹着床腿，连席子上都汪着水， 也不知是怎么洗了，笑了几天。我也没那工夫收拾，也不用同我洗去。今儿也凉快， 那会子洗了，可以不用再洗。我倒舀一盆水来，你洗洗脸通通头。才刚鸳鸯送了好些果子来， 都湃在那水晶缸里呢，叫他们打发你吃。”宝玉笑道：“既这么着，你也不许洗去，只洗洗手来拿果子来吃罢。”晴雯笑道：“我慌张的很，连扇子还跌折了，那里还配打发吃果子。倘或再打破了盘子，还更了不得呢。”宝玉笑道：“你爱打就打，这些东西原不过是借人所用，你爱这样，我爱那样，各自性情不同。比如那扇子原是扇的， 你要撕着玩也可以使得，只是不可生气时拿他出气。就如杯盘，原是盛东西的，你喜听那一声响，就故意的碎了也可以使得，只是别在生气时拿他出气。这就是爱物了。” 晴雯听了，笑道：“既这么说，你就拿了扇子来我撕。我最喜欢撕的。”宝玉听了，便笑着递与他。 晴雯果然接过来，嗤的一声，撕了两半，接着嗤嗤又听几声。宝玉在旁笑着说：“响的好，再撕响些！"正说着，只见麝月走过来，笑道：“少作些孽罢。”宝玉赶上来，一把将他手里的扇子也夺了递与晴雯。晴雯接了，也撕了几半子，二人都大笑。麝月道：“这是怎么说，拿我的东西开心儿？"宝玉笑道：“打开扇子匣子你拣去，什么好东西！"麝月道：“既这么说，就把匣子搬了出来，让他尽力的撕，岂不好？"宝玉笑道：“你就搬去。"麝月道：“我可不造这孽。他也没折了手，叫他自己搬去。”晴雯笑着，倚在床上说道：“我也乏了，明儿再撕罢。”宝玉笑道：“古人云，‘千金难买一笑’，几把扇子能值几何！"一面说着，一面叫袭人。袭人才换了衣服走出来，小丫头佳蕙过来拾去破扇，大家乘凉，不消细说。至次日午间，王夫人，薛宝钗，林黛玉众姊妹正在贾母房内坐着，就有人回：“史大姑娘来了。”一时果见史湘云带领众多丫鬟媳妇走进院来。宝钗，黛玉等忙迎至阶下相见。 青年姊妹间经月不见，一旦相逢，其亲密自不必细说。一时进入房中，请安问好，都见过了。贾母因说：“天热，把外头的衣服脱脱罢。”史湘云忙起身宽衣。王夫人因笑道：也没见穿上这些作什么？姨娘不知道，他穿衣裳还更爱穿别人的衣裳。可记得旧年三四月里， 他在这里住着，把宝兄弟的袍子穿上，靴子也穿上，额子也勒上，猛一瞧倒象是宝兄弟，就是多两个坠子。他站在那椅子后边，哄的老太太只是叫‘宝玉，你过来，仔细那上头挂的灯邓胱诱邢禄依疵粤搜*。’他只是笑，也不过去。后来大家撑不住笑了，老太太才笑了，说‘倒扮上男人好看了’。”林黛玉道：“这算什么。惟有前年正月里接了他来， 住了没两日就下起雪来，老太太和舅母那日想是才拜了影回来，老太太的一个新新的大红猩猩毡斗篷放在那里， 谁知眼错不见他就披了，又大又长，他就拿了个汗巾子拦腰系上，和丫头们在后院子扑雪人儿去，一跤栽到沟跟前，弄了一身泥水。”说着，大家想着前情， 都笑了。宝钗笑向那周奶妈道：“周妈，你们姑娘还是那么淘气不淘气了？ "周奶娘也笑了。迎春笑道：“淘气也罢了，我就嫌他爱说话。也没见睡在那里还是咭咭呱呱，笑一阵，说一阵，也不知那里来的那些话。”王夫人道：“只怕如今好了。前日有人家来相看， 眼见有婆婆家了，还是那们着。”贾母因问：“今儿还是住着，还是家去呢？ "周奶娘笑道：“老太太没有看见衣服都带了来，可不住两天？"史湘云问道：“宝玉哥哥不在家么？ "宝钗笑道：“他再不想着别人，只想宝兄弟，两个人好憨的。这可见还没改了淘气。 "贾母道：“如今你们大了，别提小名儿了。”刚只说着，只见宝玉来了，笑道：“云妹妹来了。怎么前儿打发人接你去，怎么不来？"王夫人道：“这里老太太才说这一个，他又来提名道姓的了。”林黛玉道：“你哥哥得了好东西，等着你呢。”史湘云道：“什么好东西？"宝玉笑道：“你信他呢！几日不见，越发高了。”湘云笑道：“袭人姐姐好？"宝玉道：“多谢你记挂。”湘云道：“我给他带了好东西来了。”说着，拿出手帕子来，挽着一个疙瘩。宝玉道：“什么好的？你倒不如把前儿送来的那种绛纹石的戒指儿带两个给他。”湘云笑道：“这是什么？"说着便打开。众人看时，果然就是上次送来的那绛纹戒指，一包四个。林黛玉笑道：“你们瞧瞧他这主意。前儿一般的打发人给我们送了来，你就把他的带来岂不省事？今儿巴巴的自己带了来，我当又是什么新奇东西，原来还是他。真真你是糊涂人。 "史湘云笑道：“你才糊涂呢！我把这理说出来，大家评一评谁糊涂。给你们送东西，就是使来的不用说话，拿进来一看，自然就知是送姑娘们的了，若带他们的东西，这得我先告诉来人，这是那一个丫头的，那是那一个丫头的，那使来的人明白还好，再糊涂些，丫头的名字他也不记得，混闹胡说的，反连你们的东西都搅糊涂了。 若是打发个女人素日知道的还罢了，偏生前儿又打发小子来，可怎么说丫头们的名字呢？横竖我来给他们带来，岂不清白。”说着，把四个戒指放下，说道：“袭人姐姐一个， 鸳鸯姐姐一个，金钏儿姐姐一个，平儿姐姐一个：这倒是四个人的，难道小子们也记得这们清白？ "众人听了都笑道：“果然明白。”宝玉笑道：“还是这么会说话，不让人。”林黛玉听了，冷笑道：“他不会说话，他的金麒麟会说话。”一面说着，便起身走了。幸而钊硕疾辉*， 只有薛宝钗抿嘴一笑。宝玉听见了，倒自己后悔又说错了话，忽见宝钗一笑，由不得也笑了。宝钗见宝玉笑了，忙起身走开，找了林黛玉去说话。
贾母向湘云道：“吃了茶歇一歇，瞧瞧你的嫂子们去。园里也凉快，同你姐姐们去逛逛。”湘云答应了，将三个戒指儿包上，歇了一歇，便起身要瞧凤姐等人去。众奶娘丫头跟着，到了凤姐那里，说笑了一回，出来便往大观园来，见过了李宫裁，少坐片时，便往怡红院来找袭人。 因回头说道：“你们不必跟着，只管瞧你们的朋友亲戚去，留下翠缕伏侍就是了。 "众人听了，自去寻姑觅嫂，早剩下湘云翠缕两个人。翠缕道：“这荷花怎么还不开？ "史湘云道：“时侯没到。”翠缕道：“这也和咱们家池子里的一样，也是楼子花？"湘云道：“他们这个还不如咱们的。”翠缕道：“他们那边有棵石榴，接连四五枝，真是楼子上起楼子， 这也难为他长。”史湘云道：“花草也是同人一样，气脉充足，长的就好。 "翠缕把脸一扭，说道：“我不信这话。若说同人一样，我怎么不见头上又长出一个头来的人？ "湘云听了由不得一笑，说道：“我说你不用说话，你偏好说。这叫人怎么好答言？天地间都赋阴阳二气所生，或正或邪，或奇或怪，千变万化，都是阴阳顺逆。多少一生出来，人罕见的就奇，究竟理还是一样。”翠缕道：“这么说起来，从古至今，开天辟地，都是阴阳了？"湘云笑道：“糊涂东西，越说越放屁。什么‘都是些阴阳’，难道还有个阴阳不成！‘阴’‘阳’两个字还只是一字，阳尽了就成阴，阴尽了就成阳，不是阴尽了又有个阳生出来， 阳尽了又有个阴生出来。”翠缕道：“这糊涂死了我！什么是个阴阳，没影没形的。 我只问姑娘，这阴阳是怎么个样儿？"湘云道：“阴阳可有什么样儿，不过是个气，器物赋了成形。比如天是阳，地就是阴，水是阴，火就是阳，日是阳，月就是阴。”翠缕听了，笑道：“是了，是了，我今儿可明白了。怪道人都管着日头叫‘太阳’呢，算命的管着月亮叫什么‘太阴星’，就是这个理了。”湘云笑道：“阿弥陀佛！刚刚的明白了。”翠缕道：“这些大东西有阴阳也罢了，难道那些蚊子，虼蚤，蠓虫儿，花儿，草儿，瓦片儿，砖头儿也有阴阳不成？"湘云道：“怎么有没阴阳的呢？比如那一个树叶儿还分阴阳呢，那边向上朝阳的便是阳，这边背阴覆下的便是阴。”翠缕听了，点头笑道：“原来这样，我可明白了。 只是咱们这手里的扇子，怎么是阳，怎么是阴呢？"湘云道：“这边正面就是阳，那边反面就为阴。”翠缕又点头笑了，还要拿几件东西问，因想不起个什么来，猛低头就看见湘云宫绦上系的金麒麟，便提起来问道：“姑娘，这个难道也有阴阳？"湘云道：“走兽飞禽，雄为阳，雌为阴，牝为阴，牡为阳。怎么没有呢！"翠缕道：“这是公的，到底是母的呢？"湘云道：“这连我也不知道。”翠缕道：“这也罢了，怎么东西都有阴阳，咱们人倒没有阴阳呢？ "湘云照脸啐了一口道"下流东西，好生走罢！越问越问出好的来了！"翠缕笑道：“这有什么不告诉我的呢？我也知道了，不用难我。”湘云笑道：“你知道什么？"翠缕道：“姑娘是阳，我就是阴。”说着，湘云拿手帕子握着嘴，呵呵的笑起来。翠缕道：“说是了，就笑的这样了。”湘云道：“很是，很是。”翠缕道：“人规矩主子为阳，奴才为阴。 我连这个大道理也不懂得？"湘云笑道：“你很懂得。”一面说，一面走，刚到蔷薇架下， 湘云道：“你瞧那是谁掉的首饰，金晃晃在那里。”翠缕听了，忙赶上拾在手里攥着，笑道：“可分出阴阳来了。”说着，先拿史湘云的麒麟瞧。湘云要他拣的瞧，翠缕只管不放手， 笑道：“是件宝贝，姑娘瞧不得。这是从那里来的？好奇怪！我从来在这里没见有人有这个。”湘云笑道：“拿来我看。”翠缕将手一撒，笑道：“请看。”湘云举目一验，却是文彩辉煌的一个金麒麟， 比自己佩的又大又有文彩。湘云伸手擎在掌上，只是默默不语，正自出神，忽见宝玉从那边来了，笑问道：“你两个在这日头底下作什么呢？怎么不找袭人去？"湘云连忙将那麒麟藏起道：“正要去呢。咱们一处走。”说着，大家进入怡红院来。袭人正在阶下倚槛追风，忽见湘云来了，连忙迎下来，携手笑说一向久别情况。 一时进来归坐，宝玉因笑道：“你该早来，我得了一件好东西，专等你呢。”说着，一面在身上摸掏，掏了半天，呵呀了一声，便问袭人"那个东西你收起来了么？"袭人道：“什么东西？ "宝玉道：“前儿得的麒麟。”袭人道：“你天天带在身上的，怎么问我？"宝玉听了，将手一拍说道：“这可丢了，往那里找去！"就要起身自己寻去。湘云听了，方知是他遗落的，便笑问道：“你几时又有了麒麟了？"宝玉道：“前儿好容易得的呢，不知多早晚丢了，我也糊涂了。”湘云笑道：“幸而是顽的东西，还是这么慌张。”说着，将手一撒，"你瞧瞧，是这个不是？"宝玉一见由不得欢喜非常，因说道……不知是如何，且听下回分解。
Pao-yue allows the girl Ch'ing Wen to tear his fan so as to afford her amusement. A wedding proves to be the result of the descent of a unicorn.
But to proceed. When she saw on the floor the blood, she had brought up, Hsi Jen immediately grew partly cold. What she had often heard people mention in past days 'that the lives of young people, who expectorate blood, are uncertain, and that although they may live long, they are, after all, mere wrecks,' flashed through her mind. The remembrance of this saying at once completely scattered to the winds the wish, she had all along cherished, of striving for honour and of being able to boast of glory; and from her eyes unwittingly ran down streams of tears.
When Pao-yue saw her crying, his heart was seized with anguish. "What's it that preys on your mind?" he consequently asked her.
Hsi Jen strained every nerve to smile. "There's no rhyme or reason for anything," she replied, "so what can it be?"
Pao-yue's intention was to there and then give orders to the servant to warm some white wine and to ask them for a few 'Li-T'ung' pills compounded with goat's blood, but Hsi Jen clasped his hand tight. "My troubling you is of no matter," she smiled, "but were I to put ever so many people to inconvenience, they'll bear me a grudge for my impudence. Not a soul, it's clear enough, knows anything about it now, but were you to make such a bustle as to bring it to people's notice, you'll be in an awkward fix, and so will I. The proper thing, therefore, is for you to send a page to-morrow to request Dr. Wang to prepare some medicine for me. When I take this I shall be all right. And as neither any human being nor spirit will thus get wind of it, won't it be better?"
Pao-yue found her suggestion so full of reason that he thought himself obliged to abandon his purpose; so approaching the table, he poured a cup of tea, and came over and gave it to Hsi Jen to rinse her mouth with. Aware, however, as Hsi Jen was that Pao-yue himself was not feeling at ease in his mind, she was on the point of bidding him not wait upon her; but convinced that he would once more be certain not to accede to her wishes, and that the others would, in the second place, have to be disturbed, she deemed it expedient to humour him. Leaning on the couch, she consequently allowed Pao-yue to come and attend to her.
As soon as the fifth watch struck, Pao-yue, unmindful of combing or washing, hastily put on his clothes and left the room; and sending for Wang Chi-jen, he personally questioned him with all minuteness about her ailment.
Wang Chi-jen asked how it had come about. "It's simply a bruise; nothing more," (he said), and forthwith he gave him the names of some pills and medicines, and told him how they were to be taken, and how they were to be applied.
Pao-yue committed every detail to memory, and on his return into the garden, the treatment was, needless for us to explain, taken in hand in strict compliance with the directions.
This was the day of the dragon-boat festival. Cat-tail and artemisia were put over the doors. Tiger charms were suspended on every back. At noon, Madame Wang got a banquet ready, and to this midday feast, she invited the mother, daughter and the rest of the members of the Hsueeh household.
Pao-yue noticed that Pao-ch'ai was in such low spirits that she would not even speak to him, and concluded that the reason was to be sought in the incident of the previous day. Madame Wang seeing Pao-yue in a sullen humour jumped at the surmise that it must be due to Chin Ch'uan's affair of the day before; and so ill at ease did she feel that she heeded him less than ever. Lin Tai-yue, detected Pao-yue's apathy, and presumed that he was out of sorts for having given umbrage to Pao-ch'ai, and her manner likewise assumed a listless air. Lady Feng had, in the course of the previous evening, been told by Madame Wang what had taken place between Pao-yue and Chin Ch'uan, and when she came to know that Madame Wang was in an unhappy frame of mind she herself did not venture to chat or laugh, but at once regulated her behaviour to suit Madame Wang's mood. So the lack of animation became more than ever perceptible; for the good cheer of Ying Ch'un and her sisters was also damped by the sight of all of them down in the mouth. The natural consequence therefore was that they all left after a very short stay.
Lin Tai-yue had a natural predilection for retirement. She did not care for social gatherings. Her notions, however, were not entirely devoid of reason. She maintained that people who gathered together must soon part; that when they came together, they were full of rejoicing, but did they not feel lonely when they broke up? That since this sense of loneliness gave rise to chagrin, it was consequently preferable not to have any gatherings. That flowers afforded an apt example. When they opened, they won people's admiration; but when they faded, they added to the feeling of vexation; so that better were it if they did not blossom at all! To this cause therefore must be assigned the fact that when other people were glad, she, on the contrary, felt unhappy.
Pao-yue's disposition was such that he simply yearned for frequent gatherings, and looked forward with sorrow to the breaking up which must too soon come round. As for flowers, he wished them to bloom repeatedly and was haunted with the dread of their dying in a little time. Yet albeit manifold anguish fell to his share when banquets drew to a close and flowers began to fade, he had no alternative but to practice resignation.
On this account was it that, when the company cheerlessly broke up from the present feast, Lin Tai-yue did not mind the separation; and that Pao-yue experienced such melancholy and depression, that, on his return to his apartments, he gave way to deep groans and frequent sighs.
Ch'ing Wen, as it happened, came to the upper quarters to change her costume. In an unguarded moment, she let her fan slip out of her hand and drop on the ground. As it fell, the bones were snapped. "You stupid thing!" Pao-yue exclaimed, sighing, "what a dunce! what next will you be up to by and bye? When, in a little time, you get married and have a home of your own, will you, forsooth, still go on in this happy-go-lucky careless sort of way?"
"Master Secundus," replied Ch'ing Wen with a sardonic smile, "your temper is of late dreadfully fiery, and time and again it leaks out on your very face! The other day you even beat Hsi Jen and here you are again now finding fault with us! If you feel disposed to kick or strike us, you are at liberty, Sir, to do so at your pleasure; but for a fan to slip on the ground is an everyday occurrence! How many of those crystal jars and cornelian bowls were smashed the other time, I don't remember, and yet you were not seen to fly into a tantrum; and now, for a fan do you distress yourself so? What's the use of it? If you dislike us, well pack us off and select some good girls to serve you, and we will quietly go away. Won't this be better?"
This rejoinder so exasperated Pao-yue that his whole frame trembled violently. "You needn't be in a hurry!" he then shouted. "There will be a day of parting by and bye."
Hsi Jen was on the other side, and from an early period she listened to the conversation between them. Hurriedly crossing over, "what are you up to again?" she said to Pao-yue, "why, there's nothing to put your monkey up! I'm perfectly right in my assertion that when I'm away for any length of time, something is sure to happen."
Ch'ing Wen heard these remarks. "Sister," she interposed smiling ironically, "since you've got the gift of the gab, you should have come at once; you would then have spared your master his fit of anger. It's you who have from bygone days up to the present waited upon master; we've never had anything to do with attending on him; and it's because you've served him so faithfully that he repaid you yesterday with a kick on the stomach. But who knows what punishment mayn't be in store for us, who aren't fit to wait upon him decently!"
At these insinuations, Hsi Jen felt both incensed and ashamed. She was about to make some response but Pao-yue had worked himself into such another passion as to get quite yellow in the face, and she was obliged to rein in her temper. Pushing Ch'ing Wen, "Dear sister," she cried, "you had better be off for a stroll! it's really we, who are to blame!"
The very mention of the word "we" made it certain to Ch'ing Wen that she implied herself and Pao-yue, and thus unawares more fuel was added again to her jealous notions. Giving way to several loud smiles, full of irony: "I can't make out," she insinuated, "who you may mean. But don't make me blush on your account! Even those devilish pranks of yours can't hoodwink me! How and why is it that you've started styling yourself as 'we?' Properly speaking, you haven't as yet so much as attained the designation of 'Miss!' You're simply no better than I am, and how is it then that you presume so high as to call yourself 'we.'"
Hsi Jen's face grew purple from shame. "The fact is," she reflected, "that I've said more than I should."
"As one and all of you are ever bearing her malice," Pao-yue simultaneously observed, "I'll actually raise her to-morrow to a higher status!"
Hsi Jen quickly snatched Pao-yue's hand. "She's a stupid girl," she said, "what's the use of arguing with her? What's more, you've so far borne with them and overlooked ever, so many other things more grievous than this; and what are you up to to-day?"
"If I'm really a stupid girl," repeated Ch'ing Wen, smiling sarcastically, "am I a fit person for you to hold converse with? Why, I'm purely and simply a slave-girl; that's all."
"Are you, after all," cried Hsi Jen, at these words, "bickering with me, or with Master Secundus? If you bear me a grudge, you'd better then address your remarks to me alone; albeit it isn't right that you should kick up such a hullaballoo in the presence of Mr. Secundus. But if you have a spite against Mr. Secundus, you shouldn't be shouting so boisterously as to make thousands of people know all about it! I came in, a few minutes back, merely for the purpose of setting matters right, and of urging you to make up your quarrels so that we should all be on the safe side; and here I have the unlucky fate of being set upon by you, Miss! Yet you neither seem to be angry with me, nor with Mr. Secundus! But armed _cap-a-pie_ as you appear to be, what is your ultimate design? I won't utter another word, but let you have your say!"
While she spoke, she was hurriedly wending her way out.
"You needn't raise your dander." Pao-yue remarked to Ch'ing Wen. "I've guessed the secret of your heart, so I'll go and tell mother that as you've also attained a certain age, she should send you away. Will this please you, yes or no?"
This allusion made Ch'ing Wen unwittingly feel again wounded at heart. She tried to conceal her tears. "Why should I go away?" she asked. "If even you be so prejudiced against me as to try and devise means to pack me off, you won't succeed."
"I never saw such brawling!" Pao-yue exclaimed. "You're certainly bent upon going! I might as well therefore let mother know so as to bundle you off!"
While addressing her, he rose to his feet and was intent upon trudging off at once. Hsi Jen lost no time in turning round and impeding his progress. "Where are you off to?" she cried.
"I'm going to tell mother," answered Pao-yue.
"It's no use whatever!" Hsi Jen smiled, "you may be in real earnest to go and tell her, but aren't you afraid of putting her to shame? If even she positively means to leave, you can very well wait until you two have got over this bad blood. And when everything is past and gone, it won't be any too late for you to explain, in the course of conversation, the whole case to our lady, your mother. But if you now go in hot haste and tell her, as if the matter were an urgent one, won't you be the means of making our mistress give way to suspicion?"
"My mother," demurred Pao-yue, "is sure not to entertain any suspicions, as all I will explain to her is that she insists upon leaving."
"When did I ever insist upon going?" sobbed Ch'ing Wen. "You fly into a rage, and then you have recourse to threats to intimidate me. But you're at liberty to go and say anything you like; for as I'll knock my brains out against the wall, I won't get alive out of this door."
"This is, indeed, strange!" exclaimed Pao-yue. "If you won't go, what's the good of all this fuss? I can't stand this bawling, so it will be a riddance if you would get out of the way!"
Saying this, he was resolved upon going to report the matter. Hsi Jen found herself powerless to dissuade him. She had in consequence no other resource but to fall on her knees.
Pi Hen, Ch'iu Wen, She Yueeh and the rest of the waiting-maids had realised what a serious aspect the dispute had assumed, and not a sound was to be heard to fall from their lips. They remained standing outside listening to what was going on. When they now overheard Hsi Jen making solicitous entreaties on her knees, they rushed into the apartment in a body; and with one consent they prostrated themselves on the floor.
Pao-yue at once pulled Hsi Jen up. Then with a sigh, he took a seat on the bed. "Get up," he shouted to the body of girls, "and clear out! What would you have me do?" he asked, addressing himself to Hsi Jen. "This heart of mine has been rent to pieces, and no one has any idea about it!"
While speaking, tears of a sudden rolled down his cheek. At the sight of Pao-yue weeping, Hsi Jen also melted into a fit of crying. Ch'ing Wen was standing by them, with watery eyes. She was on the point of reasoning with them, when espying Lin Tai-yue step into the room, she speedily walked out.
"On a grand holiday like this," remonstrated Lin Tai-yue smiling, "how is it that you're snivelling away, and all for nothing? Is it likely that high words have resulted all through that 'dumpling' contest?"
Pao-yue and Lin Tai-yue blurted out laughing.
"You don't tell me, cousin Secundus," Lin Tai-yue put in, "but I know all about it, even though I have asked no questions."
Now she spoke, and now she patted Hsi Jen on the shoulder. "My dear sister-in-law," she smiled, "just you tell me! It must surely be that you two have had a quarrel. Confide in me, your cousin, so that I might reconcile you."
"Miss Lin," rejoined Hsi Jen, pushing her off, "what are you fussing about? I am simply one of our servant-girls; you're therefore rather erratic in your talk!"
"You say that you're only a servant-girl," smilingly replied Tai-yue, "and yet I treat you like a sister-in-law."
"Why do you," Pao-yue chimed in, "give her this abusive epithet? But however much she may make allowance for this, can she, when there are so many others who tell idle tales on her account, put up with your coming and telling her all you've said?"
"Miss Lin," smiled Hsi Jen, "you're not aware of the purpose of my heart. Unless my breath fails and I die, I shall continue in his service."
"If you die," remarked Lin Tai-yue smiling, "what will others do, I wonder? As for me, I shall be the first to die from crying."
"Were you to die," added Pao-yue laughingly, "I shall become a bonze."
"You'd better be a little more sober-minded!" laughed Hsi Jen. "What's the good of coming out with all these things?"
Lin Tai-yue put out two of her fingers, and puckered up her lips. "Up to this," she laughed, "he's become a bonze twice. Henceforward, I'll try and remember how many times you make up your mind to become a Buddhist priest!"
This reminded Pao-yue that she was referring to a remark he had made on a previous occasion, but smiling to himself, he allowed the matter to drop.
After a short interval, Lin Tai-yue went away. A servant then came to announce that Mr. Hsueeh wanted to see him, and Pao-yue had to go. The purpose of this visit was in fact to invite him to a banquet, and as he could not very well put forward any excuse to refuse, he had to remain till the end of the feast before he was able to take his leave. The result was that, on his return, in the evening, he was to a great extent under the effect of wine. With bustling step, he wended his way into his own court. Here he perceived that the cool couch with a back to it, had already been placed in the yard, and that there was some one asleep on it. Prompted by the conviction that it must be Hsi Jen, Pao-yue seated himself on the edge of the couch. As he did so, he gave her a push, and inquired whether her sore place was any better. But thereupon he saw the occupant turn herself round, and exclaim: "What do you come again to irritate me for?"
Pao-yue, at a glance, realised that it was not Hsi Jen, but Ch'ing Wen. Pao-yue then clutched her and compelled her to sit next to him. "Your disposition," he smiled, "has been more and more spoilt through indulgence. When you let the fan drop this morning, I simply made one or two remarks, and out you came with that long rigmarole. Had you gone for me it wouldn't have mattered; but you also dragged in Hsi Jen, who only interfered with every good intention of inducing us to make it up again. But, ponder now, ought you to have done it; yes or no?"
"With this intense heat," remonstrated Ch'ing Wen, "why do you pull me and toss me about? Should any people see you, what will they think? But this person of mine isn't meet to be seated in here."
"Since you yourself know that it isn't meet," replied Pao-yue with a smile, "why then were you sleeping here?"
To this taunt Ch'ing Wen had nothing to say. But she spurted out into fresh laughter. "It was all right," she retorted, "during your absence; but the moment you come, it isn't meet for me to stay! Get up and let me go and have my bath. Hsi Jen and She Yueeh have both had theirs, so I'll call them here!"
"I've just had again a good deal of wine," remarked Pao-yue, laughingly; "so a wash will be good for me. And since you've not had your bath, you had better bring the water and let's both have it together."
"No, no!" smiled Ch'ing Wen, waving her hand, "I cannot presume to put you to any trouble, Sir. I still remember how when Pi Hen used to look after your bath you occupied fully two or three hours. What you were up to during that time we never knew. We could not very well walk in. When you had however done washing, and we entered your room, we found the floor so covered with water that the legs of the bed were soaking and the matting itself a regular pool. Nor could we make out what kind of washing you'd been having; and for days afterwards we had a laugh over it. But I've neither any time to get the water ready; nor do I see the need for you to have a wash along with me. Besides, to-day it's chilly, and as you've had a bath only a little while back, you can very well just now dispense with one. But I'll draw a basin of water for you to wash your face, and to shampoo your head with. Not long ago, Yuean Yang sent you a few fruits; they were put in that crystal bowl, so you'd better tell them to bring them to you to taste."
"Well, in that case." laughed Pao-yue, "you needn't also have a bath. Just simply wash your hands, and bring the fruit and let's have some together."
"I'm so shaky," smiled Ch'ing Wen "that even fans slip out of my hands, and how could I fetch the fruit for you. Were I also to break the dish, it will be still more dreadful!"
"If you want to break it, break it!" smiled Pao-yue. "These things are only intended for general use. You like this thing; I fancy that; our respective tastes are not identical. The original use of that fan, for instance, was to fan one's self with; but if you chose to break it for fun, you were quite at liberty to do so. The only thing is, when you get angry don't make it the means of giving vent to your temper! Just like those salvers. They are really meant for serving things in. But if you fancy that kind of sound, then deliberately smash them, that will be all right. But don't, when you are in high dudgeon avail yourself of them to air your resentment! That's what one would call having a fancy for a thing!"
Ch'ing Wen greeted his words with a smile.
"Since that be so," she said, "bring me your fan and let me tear it. What most takes my fancy is tearing!"
Upon hearing this Pao-yue smilingly handed it to her. Ch'ing Wen, in point of fact, took it over, and with a crash she rent it in two. Close upon this, the sound of crash upon crash became audible.
Pao-yue was standing next to her. "How nice the noise is!" he laughed. "Tear it again and make it sound a little more!"
But while he spoke, She Yueeh was seen to walk in. "Don't," she smiled, "be up to so much mischief!" Pao-yue, however, went up to her and snatching her fan also from her hand, he gave it to Ch'ing Wen. Ch'ing Wen took it and there and then likewise broke it in two. Both he and she then had a hearty laugh.
"What do you call this?" She Yueeh expostulated. "Do you take my property and make it the means of distracting yourselves!"
"Open the fan-box," shouted Pao-yue, "and choose one and take it away! What, are they such fine things!"
"In that case," ventured She Yueeh, "fetch the fans and let her break as many as she can. Won't that be nice!"
"Go and bring them at once!" Pao-yue laughed.
"I won't be up to any such tomfoolery!" She Yueeh demurred. "She hasn't snapped her hands, so bid her go herself and fetch them!"
"I'm feeling tired," interposed Ch'ing Wen, as she laughingly leant on the bed. "I'll therefore tear some more to-morrow again."
"An old writer says," added Pao-yue with a smile, "'that a thousand ounces of gold cannot purchase a single laugh'! What can a few fans cost?"
After moralising, he went on to call Hsi Jen. Hsi Jen had just finished the necessary change in her dress so she stepped in; and a young servant-girl, Chiao Hui, crossed over and picked up the broken fans. Then they all sat and enjoyed the cool breeze. But we can well dispense with launching into any minute details.
On the morrow, noon found Madame Wang, Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai, Lin Tai-yue, and the rest of the young ladies congregated in dowager lady Chia's suite of rooms. Some one then brought the news that: "Miss Shih had arrived." In a little time they perceived Shih Hsiang-yun make her appearance in the court, at the head of a bevy of waiting-maids and married women. Pao-ch'ai, Tai-yu and her other cousins, quickly ran down the steps to meet her and exchange greetings. But with what fervour girls of tender years re-unite some day after a separation of months need not, of course, be explained. Presently, she entered the apartments, paid her respects and inquired how they all were. But after this conventional interchange of salutations, old lady Chia pressed her to take off her outer garments as the weather was so close. Shih Hsiang-yuen lost no time in rising to her feet and loosening her clothes. "I don't see why," Madame Wang thereupon smiled, "you wear all these things!'
"It's entirely at aunt Secunda's bidding," retorted Shih Hsiang-yuen, "that I put them on. Why, would any one of her own accord wear so many things!"
"Aunt," interposed Pao-ch'ai, who stood by, with a smile, "you're not aware that what most delights her in the matter of dress is to don other people's clothes! Yes, I remember how, during her stay here in the third and fourth moons of last year, she used to wear cousin Pao's pelisses. She even put on his shoes, and attached his frontlets as well round her head. At a casual glance, she looked the very image of cousin Pao; what was superfluous was that pair of earrings of hers. As she stood at the back of that chair she so thoroughly took in our venerable ancestor that she kept on shouting: 'Pao-yue, come over! Mind the tassels suspended on that lamp; for if you shake the dust off, it may get into your eyes!' But all she did was to laugh; she did not budge; and it was only after every one found it hard to keep their countenance that our worthy senior also started laughing. 'You do look well in male habiliments!' she said to her."
"What about that!" cried Lin Tai-yue, "why, she had scarcely been here with us a couple of days in the first moon of last year, when we sent and fetched her, that we had a fall of snow. You, venerable senior, and her maternal aunt had on that day, I remember so well, just returned from worshipping the images of our ancestors, and a brand-new deep red felt wrapper of yours, dear grandmother, had been lying over there, when suddenly it disappeared. But, lo, she it was who had put it on! Being, however, too large and too long for her, she took a couple of handkerchiefs, and fastened them round her waist. She was then trudging into the back court with the servant-girls to make snow men when she tripped and fell flat in front of the drain, and got covered all over with mud."
As she narrated this incident, every one recalled the circumstances to mind, and had a good laugh.
"Dame Chou," Pao-ch'ai smilingly inquired of nurse Chou, "is your young lady always as fond of pranks as ever or not?"
Nurse Chou then also gave a laugh.
"Pranks are nothing," Ying Ch'un smiled. "What I do detest is her fondness for tittle-tattle! I've never seen any one who, even when asleep, goes on chatter-chatter; now laughing, and now talking, as she does. Nor can I make out where she gets all those idle yarns of hers."
"I think she's better of late," interposed Madame Wang. "The other day some party or other came and they met; so she's to have a mother-in-law very soon; and can she still be comporting herself like that!"
"Are you going to stay to-day," dowager lady Chia then asked, "or going back home?"
Nurse Chou smiled. "Your venerable ladyship has not seen what an amount of clothes we've brought," she replied. "We mean, of course, to stay a couple of days."
"Is cousin Pao-yue not at home?" inquired Hsiang-yuen."
"There she's again! She doesn't think of others," remarked Pao-ch'ai smiling significantly. "She only thinks of her cousin Pao-yue. They're both so fond of larks! This proves that she hasn't yet got rid of that spirit of mischief."
"You're all now grown up," observed old lady Chia; "and you shouldn't allude to infant names."
But while she was chiding them, they noticed Pao-yue arrive.
"Cousin Yuen, have you come?" he smiled. "How is it that you wouldn't come the other day when some one was despatched to fetch you?"
"It's only a few minutes," Madame Wang said, "since our venerable senior called that one to task, and now here he comes and refers to names and surnames!"
"Your cousin Pao," ventured Lin Tai-yue, "has something good, which he has been waiting to give you."
"What good thing is it?" asked Hsiang-yuen.
"Do you believe what she says?" observed Pao-yue laughingly. "But how many days is it that I have not seen you, and you've grown so much taller!"
"Is cousin Hsi Jen all right?" inquired Hsiang-yuen.
"She's all right," answered Pao-yue. "Many thanks for your kind thought of her."
"I've brought something nice for her," resumed Hsiang-yuen.
Saying this, she produced her handkerchief, tied into a knot.
"What's this something nice?" asked Pao-yue. "Wouldn't it have been better if you'd brought her a couple of those rings with streaked stones of the kind you sent the other day?"
"Why, what's this?" exclaimed Hsiang-yuen laughing, opening, as she spoke, the handkerchief.
On close scrutiny, they actually found four streaked rings, similar to those she had previously sent, tied up in the same packet.
"Look here!" Lin Tai-yue smiled, "what a girl she is! Had you, when sending that fellow the other day to bring ours, given him these also to bring along with him, wouldn't it have saved trouble? Instead of that, here you fussily bring them yourself to-day! I presumed that it was something out of the way again; but is it really only these things? In very truth, you're a mere dunce!"
"It's you who behave like a dunce now!" Shih Hsiang-yuen smiled.
"I'll speak out here and let every one judge for themselves who is the dunce. The servant, deputed to bring the things to you, had no need to open his mouth and say anything; for, as soon as they were brought in, it was of course evident, at a glance, that they were to be presented to you young ladies. But had he been the bearer of these things for them, I would have been under the necessity of explaining to him which was intended for this servant-girl, and which for that. Had the messenger had his wits about him, well and good; but had he been at all stupid he wouldn't have been able to remember so much as the names of the girls! He would have made an awful mess of it, and talked a lot of nonsense. So instead of being of any use he would have even muddled, hickledy-pickledy, your things. Had a female servant been despatched, it would have been all right. But as it happened, a servant-boy was again sent the other day, so how could he have mentioned the names of the waiting-girls? And by my bringing them in person to give them to them, doesn't it make things clearer?"
As she said this, she put down the four rings. "One is for sister Hsi Jen," she continued, "one is for sister Yuean Yang. One for sister Chin Ch'uan-erh, and one for sister P'ing Erh. They are only for these four girls; but would the servant-boys too forsooth have remembered them so clearly!"
At these words, the whole company smiled. "How really clear!" they cried.
"This is what it is to be able to speak!" Pao-yue put in. "She doesn't spare any one!"
Hearing this, Lin Tai-yue gave a sardonic smile. "If she didn't know how to use her tongue," she observed, "would she deserve to wear that unicorn of gold!"
While speaking, she rose and walked off.
Luckily, every one did not hear what she said. Only Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai pursed up her lips and laughed. Pao-yue, however, had overheard her remark, and he blamed himself for having once more talked in a heedless manner. Unawares his eye espied Pao-ch'ai much amused, and he too could not suppress a smile. But at the sight of Pao-yue in laughter, Pao-ch'ai hastily rose to her feet and withdrew. She went in search of Tai-yue, to have a chat and laugh with her.
"After you've had tea," old lady Chia thereupon said to Hsiang-yuen, "you'd better rest a while and then go and see your sisters-in-law. Besides, it's cool in the garden, so you can walk about with your cousins."
Hsiang-yuen expressed her assent, and, collecting the three rings, she wrapped them up, and went and lay down to rest. Presently, she got up with the idea of paying visits to lady Feng and her other relatives. Followed by a whole bevy of nurses and waiting-maids, she repaired into lady Feng's quarters on the off side. She bandied words with her for a while and then coming out she betook herself into the garden of Broad Vista, and called on Li Kung-ts'ai. But after a short visit, she turned her steps towards the I Hung court to look up Hsi Jen. "You people needn't," she said, turning her head round, "come along with me! You may go and see your friends and relatives. It will be quite enough if you simply leave Ts'ui Lue to wait upon me."
Hearing her wishes, each went her own way in quest of aunts, or sisters-in-law. There only remained but Hsiang-yuen and Ts'ui Lue.
"How is it," inquired Ts'ui Lue, "that these lotus flowers have not yet opened?"
"The proper season hasn't yet arrived," rejoined Shih Hsiang-yuen.
"They too," continued Ts'ui Lue, "resemble those in our pond; they are double flowers."
"These here," remarked Hsiang-yuen, "are not however up to ours."
"They have over there," observed Ts'ui Lue, "a pomegranate tree, with four or five branches joined one to another, just like one storey raised above another storey. What trouble it must have cost them to rear!"
"Flowers and plants," suggested Shih Hsiang-yuen, "are precisely like the human race. With sufficient vitality, they grow up in a healthy condition."
"I can't credit these words," replied Ts'ui Lue, twisting her face round. "If you maintain that they are like human beings, how is it that I haven't seen any person, with one head growing over another."
This rejoinder evoked a smile from Hsiang-yuen. "I tell you not to talk," she cried, "but you will insist upon talking! How do you expect people to be able to answer every thing you say! All things, whether in heaven or on earth come into existence by the co-operation of the dual powers, the male and female. So all things, whether good or bad, novel or strange, and all those manifold changes and transformations arise entirely from the favourable or adverse influence exercised by the male and female powers. And though some things seldom seen by mankind might come to life, the principle at work is, after all, the same."
"In the face of these arguments," laughed Ts'ui Lue, "everything, from old till now, from the very creation itself, embodies a certain proportion of the Yin and Yang principles."
"You stupid thing!" exclaimed Hsiang-yuen smiling, "the more you talk, the more stuff and nonsense falls from your lips! What about everything embodying a certain proportion of the principles Yin and Yang! Besides, the two words Yin and Yang are really one word; for when the Yang principle is exhausted, it becomes the Yin; and when the Yin is exhausted, it becomes Yang. And it isn't that, at the exhaustion of the Yin, another Yang comes into existence; and that, at the exhaustion of the Yang, a second Yin arises."
"This trash is sufficient to kill me!" ejaculated Ts'ui Lue. "What are the Yin and Yang? Why, they are without substance or form! But pray, Miss, tell me what sort of things these Yin and Yang can be!"
"The Yin and Yang," explained Hsiang-yuen, "are no more than spirits, but anything affected by their influence at once assumes form. The heavens, for instance, are Yang, and the earth is Yin; water is Yin and fire is Yang; the sun is Yang and the moon Yin."
"Quite so! quite so!" cried out Ts'ui Lue, much amused by these explanations, "I've at length attained perception! It isn't strange then that people invariably call the sun 'T'ai-yang.' While astrologers keep on speaking of the moon as 'T'ai-yin-hsing,' or something like it. It must be on account of this principle."
"O-mi-to-fu!" laughed Hsiang-yuen, "you have at last understood!"
"All these things possess the Yin and Yang; that's all right." T'sui Lue put in. "But is there any likelihood that all those mosquitoes, flees and worms, flowers, herbs, bricks and tiles have, in like manner, anything to do with the Yin and Yang?"
"How don't they!" exclaimed Hsiang-yuen. "For example, even the leaves of that tree are distinguished by Yin and Yang. The side, which looks up and faces the sun, is called Yang; while that in the shade and looking downwards, is called Yin."
"Is it really so!" ejaculated T'sui Lue, upon hearing this; while she smiled and nodded her head. "Now I know all about it! But which is Yang and which Yin in these fans we're holding."
"This side, the front, is Yang," answered Hsiang-yuen; "and that, the reverse, is Yin."
Ts'ui Lue went on to nod her head, and to laugh. She felt inclined to apply her questions to several other things, but as she could not fix her mind upon anything in particular, she, all of a sudden, drooped her head. Catching sight of the pendant in gold, representing a unicorn, which Hsiang-yuen had about her person, she forthwith made allusion to it. "This, Miss," she said smiling, "cannot likely also have any Yin and Yang!"
"The beasts of the field and the birds of the air," proceeded Hsiang-yuen, "are, the cock birds, Yang, and the hen birds, Yin. The females of beasts are Yin; and the males, Yang; so how is there none?"
"Is this male, or is this female?" inquired Ts'ui Lue.
"Ts'ui!" exclaimed Hsiang-yuen, "what about male and female! Here you are with your nonsense again."
"Well, never mind about that," added Ts'ui Lue, "But how is it that all things have Yin and Yang, and that we human beings have no Yin and no Yang?"
Hsiang-yuen then lowered her face. "You low-bred thing!" she exclaimed. "But it's better for us to proceed on our way, for the more questions you ask, the nicer they get."
"What's there in this that you can't tell me?" asked Ts'ui Lue, "But I know all about it, so there's no need for you to keep me on pins and needles."
Hsiang-yuen blurted out laughing. "What do you know?" she said.
"That you, Miss, are Yang, and that I'm Yin," answered Ts'ui Lue.
Hsiang-yuen produced her handkerchief, and, while screening her mouth with it, burst out into a loud fit of laughter.
"What I say must be right for you to laugh in this way," Ts'ui Lue observed.
"Perfectly right, perfectly right!" acquiesced Hsiang-yuen.
"People say," continued Ts'ui Lue, "that masters are Yang, and that servant-girls are Yin; don't I even apprehend this primary principle?"
"You apprehend it thoroughly," responded Hsiang-yuen laughingly. But while she was speaking, she espied, under the trellis with the cinnamon roses, something glistening like gold. "Do you see that? What is it?" Hsiang-yuen asked pointing at it.
Hearing this, Ts'ui Lue hastily went over and picked up the object. While scrutinising it, she observed with a smile, "Let us find out whether it's Yin or Yang!"
So saying, she first laid hold of the unicorn, belonging to Shih Hsiang-yuen, and passed it under inspection.
Shih Hsiang-yuen longed to be shown what she had picked up, but Ts'ui Lue would not open her hand.
"It's a precious gem," she smiled. "You mayn't see it, Miss. Where can it be from? How very strange it is! I've never seen any one in here with anything of the kind."
"Give it to me and let me look at it," retorted Hsiang-yuen.
Ts'ui Lue stretched out her hand with a dash. "Yes, Miss, please look at it!" she laughed.
Hsiang-yuen raised her eyes. She perceived, at a glance, that it was a golden unicorn, so beautiful and so bright; and so much larger and handsomer than the one she had on. Hsiang-yuen put out her arm and, taking the gem in the palm of her hand, she fell into a silent reverie and uttered not a word. She was quite absent-minded when suddenly Pao-yue appeared in the opposite direction.
"What are you two," he asked smiling, "doing here in the sun? How is it you don't go and find Hsi Jen?"
Shih Hsiang-yuen precipitately concealed the unicorn. "We were just going," she replied, "so let us all go together."
Conversing, they, in a company, wended their steps into the I Hung court. Hsi Jen was leaning on the balustrade at the bottom of the steps, her face turned to the breeze. Upon unexpectedly seeing Hsiang-yuen arrive she with alacrity rushed down to greet her; and taking her hand in hers, they cheerfully canvassed the events that had transpired during their separation, while they entered the room and took a seat.
"You should have come earlier," Pao-yue said. "I've got something nice and was only waiting for you."
Saying this, he searched and searched about his person. After a long interval, "Ai-ya!" he ejaculated. "Have you perchance put that thing away?" he eagerly asked Hsi Jen.
"What thing?" inquired Hsi Jen.
"The unicorn," explained Pao-yue, "I got the other day."
"You've daily worn it about you, and how is it you ask me?" remarked Hsi Jen.
As soon as her answer fell on his ear, Pao-yue clapped his hands. "I've lost it!" he cried. "Where can I go and look for it!" There and then, he meant to go and search in person; but Shih Hsiang-yuen heard his inquiries, and concluded that it must be he who had lost the gem. "When did you too," she promptly smiled, "get a unicorn?"
"I got it the other day, after ever so much trouble;" rejoined Pao-yue, "but I can't make out when I can have lost it! I've also become quite addle-headed."
"Fortunately," smiled Shih Hsiang-yuen, "it's only a sort of a toy! Still, are you so careless?" While speaking, she flung open her hand. "Just see," she laughed, "is it this or not?"
As soon as he saw it, Pao-yue was seized with unwonted delight. But, reader, if you care to know the cause of his delight, peruse the explanation contained in the next chapter.
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】红楼一春梦 |
|
|