中国经典 》 紅樓夢 A Dream of Red Mansions 》
第五十五回 辱親女愚妾爭閑氣 欺幼主刁奴蓄險心 CHAPTER LV.
曹雪芹 Cao Xueqin
高鶚 Gao E
CHAPTER LV.
且說元宵已過， 衹因當今以孝治天下，目下宮中有一位太妃欠安，故各嬪妃皆為之減膳謝妝，不獨不能省親，亦且將宴樂俱免。故榮府今歲元宵亦無燈謎之集。
剛將年事忙過， 鳳姐兒便小月了，在傢一月，不能理事，天天兩三個太醫用藥。鳳姐兒自恃強壯， 雖不出門，然籌畫計算，想起什麽事來，便命平兒去回王夫人，任人諫勸，他衹不聽。王夫人便覺失了膀臂，一人能有許多的精神？凡有了大事，自己主張，將傢中瑣碎之事，一應都暫令李紈協理。李紈是個尚德不尚纔的，未免逞縱了下人。王夫人便命探春合同李紈裁處，衹說過了一月，鳳姐將息好了，仍交與他。誰知鳳姐稟賦氣血不足，兼年幼不知保養，平生爭強鬥智，心力更虧，故雖係小月，竟着實虧虛下來，一月之後， 復添了下紅之癥。他雖不肯說出來，衆人看他面目黃瘦，便知失於調養。王夫人衹令他好生服藥調養，不令他操心。他自己也怕成了大癥，遺笑於人，便想偷空調養，恨不得一時復舊如常。 誰知一直服藥調養到八九月間，纔漸漸的起復過來，下紅也漸漸止了。此是後話。
如今且說目今王夫人見他如此，探春與李紈暫難謝事，園中人多，又恐失於照管，因又特請了寶釵來，托他各處小心：“老婆子們不中用，得空兒吃酒鬥牌，白日裏睡覺，夜裏鬥牌， 我都知道的。鳳丫頭在外頭，他們還有個懼怕，如今他們又該取便了。好孩子，你還是個妥當人，你兄弟姊妹們又小，我又沒工夫，你替我辛苦兩天，照看照看。凡有想不到的事，你來告訴我，別等老太太問出來，我沒話回，那些人不好了，你衹管說。他們不聽，你來回我。別弄出大事來纔好。”寶釵聽說衹得答應了。
時屆孟春，黛玉又犯了嗽疾。湘雲亦因時氣所感，亦臥病於蘅蕪苑，一天醫藥不斷。探春同李紈相住間隔， 二人近日同事法即不看最先的事物、原則和範疇，而是看最後的事物、收，不比往年，來往回話人等亦不便，故二人議定：每日早晨皆到園門口南邊的三間小花廳上去會齊辦事，吃過早飯於午錯方回房。這三間廳原係預備省親之時衆執事太監起坐之處，故省親之後也用不着了，每日衹有婆子們上夜。 如今天已和暖，不用十分修飾，衹不過略略的鋪陳了，便可他二人起坐。這廳上也有一匾， 題着"輔仁諭德"四字，傢下俗呼皆衹叫"議事廳"兒。如今他二人每日卯正至此，午正方散。凡一應執事媳婦等來往回話者，絡繹不絶。
衆人先聽見李紈獨辦， 各各心中暗喜，以為李紈素日原是個厚道多恩無罰的，自然比鳳姐兒好搪塞。 便添了一個探春，也都想着不過是個未出閨閣的青年小姐，且素日也最平和恬淡，因此都不在意，比鳳姐兒前更懈怠了許多。衹三四日後，幾件事過手，漸覺探春精細處不讓鳳姐，衹不過是言語安靜，性情和順而已。可巧連日有王公侯伯世襲官員十幾處，皆係榮寧非親即友或世交之傢，或有升遷，或有黜降，或有婚喪紅白等事， 王夫人賀吊迎送，應酬不暇，前邊更無人。他二人便一日皆在廳上起坐。寶釵便一日在上房監察，至王夫人回方散。每於夜間針綫暇時，臨寢之先，坐了小轎帶領園中上夜人等各處巡察一次。 他三人如此一理，更覺比鳳姐兒當差時倒更謹慎了些。因而裏外下人都暗中抱怨說：“剛剛的倒了一個’巡海夜叉’，又添了三個’鎮山太歲’，越性連夜裏偷着吃酒頑的工夫都沒了。”
這日王夫人正是往錦鄉侯府去赴席， 李紈與探春早已梳洗，伺候出門去後，回至廳上坐了。剛吃茶時，衹見吳新登的媳婦進來回說：“趙姨娘的兄弟趙國基昨日死了。昨日回過太太， 太太說知道了，叫回姑娘奶奶來。”說畢，便垂手旁侍，再不言語。彼時來回話者不少，都打聽他二人辦事如何：若辦得妥當，大傢則安個畏懼之心，若少有嫌隙不當之處， 不但不畏伏，出二門還要編出許多笑話來取笑。吳新登的媳婦心中已有主意， 若是鳳姐前，他便早已獻勤說出許多主意，又查出許多舊例來任鳳姐兒揀擇施行。如今他藐視李紈老實，探春是青年的姑娘，所以衹說出這一句話來，試他二人有何主見。 探春便問李紈。李紈想了一想，便道：“前兒襲人的媽死了，聽見說賞銀四十兩。這也賞他四十兩罷了。 "吳新登傢的聽了，忙答應了是，接了對牌就走。探春道：“你且回來。 "吳新登傢的衹得回來。探春道：“你且別支銀子。我且問你：那幾年老太太屋裏的幾位老姨奶奶， 也有傢裏的也有外頭的這兩個分別。傢裏的若死了人是賞多少，外頭的死了人是賞多少， 你且說兩個我們聽聽。”一問，吳新登傢的便都忘了，忙陪笑回說：“這也不是什麽大事，賞多少，誰還敢爭不成？"探春笑道：“這話胡闹。依我說，賞一百倒好。 若不按例，別說你們笑話，明兒也難見你二奶奶。”吳新登傢的笑道：“既這麽說，我查舊帳去，此時卻記不得。”探春笑道：“你辦事辦老了的，還記不得，倒來難我們。你素日回你二奶奶也現查去？若有這道理，鳳姐姐還不算利害，也就是算寬厚了！還不快找了來我瞧。再遲一日，不說你們粗心，反象我們沒主意了。”吳新登傢的滿面通紅，忙轉身出來。衆媳婦們都伸舌頭。這裏又回別的事。
一時，吳傢的取了舊帳來。探春看時，兩個傢裏的賞過皆二十兩，兩個外頭的皆賞過四十兩。外還有兩個外頭的，一個賞過一百兩物。傳說字子秉，趙國人。為趙平原君門客。“詭辭數萬”，人，一個賞過六十兩。這兩筆底下皆有原故： 一個是隔省遷父母之柩，外賞六十兩，一個是現買葬地，外賞二十兩。探春便遞與李紈看了。探春便說：“給他二十兩銀子。把這帳留下，我們細看看。”吳新登傢的去了。
忽見趙姨娘進來，李紈探春忙讓坐。趙姨娘開口便說道：“這屋裏的人都踩下我的頭去還罷了。姑娘你也想一想，該替我出氣纔是。”一面說，一面眼淚鼻涕哭起來。探春忙道：“姨娘這話說誰，我竟不解。誰踩姨娘的頭？說出來我替姨娘出氣。”趙姨娘道：“姑娘現踩我，我告訴誰！"探春聽說，忙站起來，說道：“我並不敢。”李紈也站起來勸。趙姨娘道：“你們請坐下，聽我說。我這屋裏熬油似的熬了這麽大年紀，又有你和你兄弟，這會子連襲人都不如了， 我還有什麽臉？連你也沒臉面，別說我了！"探春笑道：“原來為這個。我說我並不敢犯法違理。”一面便坐了，拿帳翻與趙姨娘看，又念與他聽，又說道：“這是祖宗手裏舊規矩，人人都依着，偏我改了不成？也不但襲人，將來環兒收了外頭的，自然也是同襲人一樣。這原不是什麽爭大爭小的事，講不到有臉沒臉的話上。他是太太的奴才， 我是按着舊規矩辦。說辦的好，領祖宗的恩典，太太的恩典，若說辦的不均，那是他糊塗不知福，也衹好憑他抱怨去。太太連房子賞了人，我有什麽有臉之處，一文不賞， 我也沒什麽沒臉之處。依我說，太太不在傢，姨娘安靜些養神罷了，何苦衹要操心。太太滿心疼我，因姨娘每每生事，幾次寒心。我但凡是個男人，可以出得去，我必早走了，立一番事業，那時自有我一番道理。偏我是女孩兒傢，一句多話也沒有我亂說的。 太太滿心裏都知道。如今因看重我，纔叫我照管傢務，還沒有做一件好事，姨娘倒先來作踐我。倘或太太知道了，怕我為難不叫我管，那纔正經沒臉，連姨娘也真沒臉！"一面說， 一面不禁滾下淚來。趙姨娘沒了別話答對，便說道：“太太疼你，你越發拉扯拉扯我們。你衹顧討太太的疼，就把我們忘了。”探春道：“我怎麽忘了？叫我怎麽拉扯？這也問你們各人，那一個主子不疼出力得用的人？那一個好人用人拉扯的？"李紈在旁衹管勸說：“姨娘別生氣。也怨不得姑娘，他滿心裏要拉扯，口裏怎麽說的出來。”探春忙道：“這大嫂子也糊塗了。我拉扯誰？誰傢姑娘們拉扯奴才了？他們的好歹，你們該知道，與我什麽相幹。”趙姨娘氣的問道：“誰叫你拉扯別人去了？你不當傢我也不來問你。你如今現說一是一，說二是二。如今你舅舅死了，你多給了二三十兩銀子，難道太太就不依你？ 分明太太是好太太，都是你們尖酸刻薄，可惜太太有恩無處使。姑娘放心，這也使不着你的銀子。明兒等出了閣，我還想你額外照看趙傢呢。如今沒有長羽毛，就忘了根本，衹揀高枝兒飛去了！"探春沒聽完，已氣的臉白氣噎，抽抽咽咽的一面哭，一面問道：“誰是我舅舅？我舅舅年下纔升了九省檢點，那裏又跑出一個舅舅來？我倒素習按理尊敬，越發敬出這些親戚來了。既這麽說，環兒出去為什麽趙國基又站起來，又跟他上學？為什麽不拿出舅舅的款來？何苦來，誰不知道我是姨娘養的，必要過兩三個月尋出由頭來， 徹底來翻騰一陣，生怕人不知道，故意的表白表白。也不知誰給誰沒臉？幸虧我還明白，但凡糊塗不知理的，早急了。”李紈急的衹管勸，趙姨娘衹管還嘮叨。
忽聽有人說：“二奶奶打發平姑娘說話來了。”趙姨娘聽說，方把口止住。衹見平兒進來，趙姨娘忙陪笑讓坐，又忙問：“你奶奶好些？我正要瞧去，就衹沒得空兒。”李紈見平兒進來，因問他來做什麽。平兒笑道：“奶奶說，趙姨奶奶的兄弟沒了，恐怕奶奶和姑娘不知有舊例，若照常例，衹得二十兩。如今請姑娘裁奪着，再添些也使得。”探春早已拭去淚痕， 忙說道：“又好好的添什麽，誰又是二十四個月養下來的？不然也是那出兵放馬背着主子逃出命來過的人不成？你主子真個倒巧，叫我開了例，他做好人，拿着太太不心疼的錢，樂的做人情。你告訴他，我不敢添減，混出主意。他添他施恩，等他好了出來，愛怎麽添了去。”平兒一來時已明白了對半，今聽這一番話，越發會意，見探春有怒色，便不敢以往日喜樂之時相待，衹一邊垂手默侍。
時值寶釵也從上房中來，探春等忙起身讓坐。未及開言，又有一個媳婦進來回事。因探春纔哭了，便有三四個小丫鬟捧了沐盆，巾帕以指道。《莊子·大宗師》：“偉哉，夫造物者。”《淮南子·精，靶鏡等物來。此時探春因盤膝坐在矮板榻上， 那捧盆的丫鬟走至跟前，便雙膝跪下，高捧沐盆，那兩個小丫鬟，也都在旁屈膝捧着巾帕並靶鏡脂粉之飾。 平兒見待書不在這裏，便忙上來與探春輓袖卸鐲，又接過一條大手巾來，將探春面前衣襟掩了。探春方伸手嚮面盆中盥沐。那媳婦便回道：“回奶奶姑娘， 傢學裏支環爺和蘭哥兒的一年公費。”平兒先道：“你忙什麽！你睜着眼看見姑娘洗臉，你不出去伺候着，先說話來。二奶奶跟前你也這麽沒眼色來着？姑娘雖然恩寬，我去回了二奶奶，衹說你們眼裏都沒姑娘，你們都吃了虧，可別怨我。”唬的那個媳婦忙陪笑道：“我粗心了。”一面說，一面忙退出去。
探春一面勻臉， 一面嚮平兒冷笑道：“你遲了一步，還有可笑的：連吳姐姐這麽個辦老了事的， 也不查清楚了，就來混我們。幸虧我們問他，他竟有臉說忘了。我說他回你主子事也忘了再找去？ 我料着你那主子未必有耐性兒等他去找。”平兒忙笑道：“他有這一次，管包腿上的筋早折了兩根。姑娘別信他們。那是他們瞅着大奶奶是個菩薩，姑娘又是個靦腆小姐， 固然是托懶來混。”說着，又嚮門外說道：“你們衹管撒野，等奶奶大安了， 咱們再說。”門外的衆媳婦都笑道：“姑娘，你是個最明白的人，俗語說，‘一人作罪一人當’， 我們並不敢欺蔽小姐。如今小姐是嬌客，若認真惹惱了，死無葬身之地。 "平兒冷笑道：“你們明白就好了。”又陪笑嚮探春道：“姑娘知道二奶奶本來事多，那裏照看的這些， 保不住不忽略。俗語說，‘旁觀者清’，這幾年姑娘冷眼看着，或有該添該減的去處二奶奶沒行到， 姑娘竟一添減，頭一件於太太的事有益，第二件也不枉姑娘待我們奶奶的情義了。”話未說完，寶釵李紈皆笑道：“好丫頭，真怨不得鳳丫頭偏疼他！本來無可添減的事，如今聽你一說，倒要找出兩件來斟酌斟酌，不辜負你這話。”探春笑道：“我一肚子氣，沒人煞性子，正要拿他奶奶出氣去，偏他碰了來，說了這些話，叫我也沒了主意了。一面說，一面叫進方纔那媳婦來問：那媳婦便回說：“一年學裏吃點心或者買紙筆，每位有八兩銀子的使用。”探春道：“凡爺們的使用，都是各屋領了月錢的。環哥的是姨娘領二兩，寶玉的是老太太屋裏襲人領二兩，蘭哥兒的是大奶奶屋裏領。怎麽學裏每人又多這八兩？原來上學去的是為這八兩銀子！從今兒起，把這一項蠲了。平兒，回去告訴你奶奶，我的話，把這一條務必免了。”平兒笑道：“早就該免。舊年奶奶原說要免的，因年下忙，就忘了。”那個媳婦衹得答應着去了。就有大觀園中媳婦捧了飯盒來。
待書素雲早已擡過一張小飯桌來，平兒也忙着上菜。探春笑道：“你說完了話幹你的去罷，在這裏忙什麽。”平兒笑道：“我原沒事的。二奶奶打發了我來，一則說話，二則恐這裏人不方便，原是叫我幫着妹妹們伏侍奶奶姑娘的。”探春因問：“寶姑娘的飯怎麽不端來一處吃？"丫鬟們聽說，忙出至檐外命媳婦去說：“寶姑娘如今在廳上一處吃，叫他們把飯送了這裏來。”探春聽說，便高聲說道：“你別混支使人！那都是辦大事的管傢娘子們，你們支使他要飯要茶的，連個高低都不知道！平兒這裏站着，你叫叫去。”
平兒忙答應了一聲出來。那些媳婦們都忙悄悄的拉住笑道：“那裏用姑娘去叫，我們已有人叫去了。”一面說，一面用手帕ペ石磯上說：“姑娘站了半天乏了，這太陽影裏且歇歇。 "平兒便坐下。又有茶房裏的兩個婆子拿了個坐褥鋪下，說：“石頭冷有一套叢書。，這是極幹淨的， 姑娘將就坐一坐兒罷。”平兒忙陪笑道：“多謝。”一個又捧了一碗精緻新茶出來， 也悄悄笑說：“這不是我們的常用茶，原是伺候姑娘們的，姑娘且潤一潤罷。”平兒忙欠身接了， 因指衆媳婦悄悄說道：“你們太鬧的不象了。他是個姑娘傢，不肯發威動怒， 這是他尊重，你們就藐視欺負他。果然招他動了大氣，不過說他個粗糙就完了，你們就現吃不了的虧。他撒個嬌兒，太太也得讓他一二分，二奶奶也不敢怎樣。你們就這麽大膽子小看他，可是雞蛋往石頭上碰。”衆人都忙道：“我們何嘗敢大膽了，都是趙姨奶奶鬧的。 "平兒也悄悄的說：“罷了，好奶奶們。‘墻倒衆人推’，那趙姨奶奶原有些倒三不着兩，有了事都就賴他。你們素日那眼裏沒人，心術利害，我這幾年難道還不知道？二奶奶若是略差一點兒的，早被你們這些奶奶治倒了。饒這麽着，得一點空兒，還要難他一難，好幾次沒落了你們的口聲。衆人都道他利害，你們都怕他，惟我知道他心裏也就不算不怕你們呢。前兒我們還議論到這裏，再不能依頭順尾，必有兩場氣生。那三姑娘雖是個姑娘，你們都橫看了他。二奶奶這些大姑子小姑子裏頭，也就衹單畏他五分。你們這會子倒不把他放在眼裏了。”
正說着，衹見秋紋走來。衆媳婦忙趕着問好，又說：“姑娘也且歇一歇，裏頭擺飯呢。等撒下飯桌子，再回話去。”秋紋笑道：“我比不得你們，我那裏等得。”說着便直要上廳去。平兒忙叫：“快回來。”秋紋回頭見了平兒，笑道：“你又在這裏充什麽外圍的防護？"一面回身便坐在平兒褥上。 平兒悄問：“回什麽？"秋紋道：“問一問寶玉的月銀我們的月錢多早晚纔領。 "平兒道：“這什麽大事。你快回去告訴襲人，說我的話，憑有什麽事今兒都別回。 若回一件，管駁一件，回一百件，管駁一百件。”秋紋聽了，忙問：“這是為什麽了？ "平兒與衆媳婦等都忙告訴他原故，又說：“正要找幾件利害事與有體面的人開例作法子，鎮壓與衆人作榜樣呢。何苦你們先來碰在這釘子上。你這一去說了，他們若拿你們也作一二件榜樣，又礙着老太太，太太，若不拿着你們作一二件，人傢又說偏一個嚮一個， 仗着老太太，太太威勢的就怕，也不敢動，衹拿着軟的作鼻子頭。你聽聽罷，二奶奶的事，他還要駁兩件，纔壓的衆人口聲呢。”秋紋聽了，伸舌笑道：“幸而平姐姐在這裏，沒的鱢一鼻子灰。我趕早知會他們去。”說着，便起身走了。
接着寶釵的飯至，平兒忙進來伏侍。那時趙姨娘已去，三人在板床上吃飯。寶釵面南， 探春面西，李紈面東。衆媳婦皆在廊下靜候，裏頭衹有他們緊跟常侍的丫鬟伺候，別人一概不敢擅入。這些媳婦們都悄悄的議論說：“大傢省事罷，別安着沒良心的主意。連吳大娘纔都討了沒意思，咱們又是什麽有臉的。”他們一邊悄議，等飯完回事。衹覺裏面鴉雀無聲，並不聞碗箸之聲。一時衹見一個丫鬟將簾櫳高揭，又有兩個將桌擡出。茶房內早有三個丫頭捧着三沐盆水， 見飯桌已出，三人便進去了，一回又捧出沐盆並漱盂來， 方有待書，素雲，鶯兒三個，每人用茶盤捧了三蓋碗茶進去。一時等他三人出來， 待書命小丫頭子：“好生伺候着，我們吃飯來換你們，別又偷坐着去。”衆媳婦們方慢慢的一個一個的安分回事，不敢如先前輕慢疏忽了。
探春氣方漸平，因嚮平兒道：“我有一件大事，把寶釵的話說了。王夫人點頭嘆道：“若說我無德， 不該有這樣好媳婦了。”說着，更又傷心起來。薛姨媽倒又勸了一會子波伊提烏（AniciusManliusSeverinusBoetnius，約480—，因又提起襲人來，說：“我見襲人近來瘦的了不得，他是一心想着寶哥兒。但是正配呢理應守的，屋裏人願守也是有的。惟有這襲人，雖說是算個屋裏人，到底他和寶哥兒並沒有過明路兒的。 "王夫人道：“我纔剛想着，正要等妹妹商量商量。若說放他出去，恐怕他不願意，又要尋死覓活的，若要留着他也罷，又恐老爺不依。所以難處。”薛姨媽道：“我看姨老爺是再不肯叫守着的。再者姨老爺並不知道襲人的事，想來不過是個丫頭，那有留的理呢？衹要姊姊叫他本傢的人來，狠狠的吩咐他，叫他配一門正經親事，再多多的陪送他些東西。那孩子心腸兒也好，年紀兒又輕，也不枉跟了姐姐會子，也算姐姐待他不薄了。 襲人那裏還得我細細勸他。就是叫他傢的人來也不用告訴他，衹等他傢裏果然說定了好人傢兒，我們還去打聽打聽，若果然足衣足食，女婿長的象個人兒，然後叫他出去。”王夫人聽了道：“這個主意很是。不然叫老爺冒冒失失的一辦，我可不是又害了一個人了麽！"薛姨媽聽了點頭道：“可不是麽！"又說了幾句，便辭了王夫人，仍到寶釵房中去了。
看見襲人淚痕滿面，薛姨媽便勸解譬喻了一會。W襲人本來老實，不是伶牙利齒的人， 薛姨媽說一句，他應一句，回來說道：“我是做下人的人，姨太太瞧得起我，纔和我說這些話， 我是從不敢違拗太太的。”薛姨媽聽他的話，"好一個柔順的孩子！"心裏更加喜歡。寶釵又將大義的話說了一遍，大傢各自相安。
過了幾日， 賈政回傢，衆人迎接。賈政見賈赦賈珍已都回傢，弟兄叔侄相見，大傢歷敘別來的景況。然後內眷們見了，不免想起寶玉來，又大傢傷了一會子心。賈政喝住道：“這是一定的道理。如今衹要我們在外把持傢事，你們在內相助，斷不可仍是從前這樣的散慢。別房的事，各有各傢料理，也不用承總。我們本房的事，裏頭全歸於你，都要按理而行。”王夫人便將寶釵有孕的話也告訴了，將來丫頭們都勸放出去。賈政聽了，點頭無語。
次日賈政進內， 請示大臣們，說是：“蒙恩感激，但未服闋，應該怎麽謝恩之處內因與外因反映事物變化原因的一對哲學範疇。前者，望乞大人們指教。”衆朝臣說是代奏請旨。於是聖恩浩蕩，即命陛見。賈政進內謝了恩，聖上又降了好些旨意，又問起寶玉的事來。賈政據實回奏。聖上稱奇，旨意說，寶玉的文章固是清奇， 想他必是過來人，所以如此。若在朝中，可以進用。他既不敢受聖朝的爵位，便賞了一個"文妙真人"的道號。賈政又叩頭謝恩而出。
回到傢中，賈璉賈珍接着，賈政將朝內的話述了一遍，衆人喜歡。賈珍便回說：“寧國府第收拾齊全，回明了要搬過去。櫳翠庵圈在園內，給四妹妹靜養。”賈政並不言語，隔了半日， 卻吩咐了一番仰報天恩的話。賈璉也趁便回說：“巧姐親事，父親太太都願意給周傢為媳。”賈政昨晚也知巧姐的始末，便說：“大老爺大太太作主就是了。莫說村居不好，衹要人傢清白，孩子肯念書，能夠上進。朝裏那些官兒難道都是城裏的人麽？"賈璉答應了"是"，又說：“父親有了年紀，況且又有痰癥的根子，靜養幾年，諸事原仗二老爺為主。 "賈政道：“提起村居養靜，甚合我意。衹是我受恩深重，尚未酬報耳。”賈政說畢進內。賈璉打發請了劉姥姥來，應了這件事。劉姥姥見了王夫人等，便說些將來怎樣升官，怎樣起傢，怎樣子孫昌盛。
正說着，丫頭回道：“花自芳的女人進來請安。”王夫人問幾句話，花自芳的女人將親戚作媒，說的是城南蔣傢的，現在有房有地，又有鋪面，姑爺年紀略大了幾歲，並沒有娶過的，況且人物兒長的是百裏挑一的。王夫人聽了願意，說道：“你去應了，隔幾日進來再接你妹子罷。 "王夫人又命人打聽，都說是好。王夫人便告訴了寶釵，仍請了薛姨媽細細的告訴了襲人。襲人悲傷不已，又不敢違命的，心裏想起寶玉那年到他傢去，回來說的死也不回去的話， "如今太太硬作主張。若說我守着，又叫人說我不害鱢，若是去了，實不是我的心願"，便哭得咽哽難鳴，又被薛姨媽寶釵等苦勸，回過念頭想道：“我若是死在這裏，倒把太太的好心弄壞了。我該死在傢裏纔是。”
於是， 襲人含悲叩辭了衆人，那姐妹分手時自然更有一番不忍說。襲人懷着必死的心腸上車回去，見了哥哥嫂子，也是哭泣。
The stupid secondary wife, dame Chao, needlessly loses her temper and insults her own daughter, T'an Ch'un. The perverse servant-girls are so full of malice that they look down contemptuously on their youthful mistresses.
We will now resume our narration with the Jung Mansion. Soon after the bustle of the new year festivities, lady Feng who, with the most arduous duties she had had to fulfil both before and after the new year, had found little time to take proper care of herself, got a miscarriage and could not attend to the management of domestic affairs. Day after day two and three doctors came and prescribed for her. But lady Feng had ever accustomed herself to be hardy, so although unable to go out of doors, she nevertheless devised the ways and means for everything, and made the various arrangements she deemed necessary, and whatever concern suggested itself to her mind, she entrusted to P'ing Erh to lay before Madame Wang. But however much people advised her to be careful, she would not lend an ear to them. Madame Wang felt as if she had been deprived of her right arm. And as she alone had not sufficient energy to see to everything, she bestowed her own attention upon such important affairs, as turned up, and entrusted, for the time being, all miscellaneous domestic matters to the co-operation of Li Wan.
Li Wan had at all times held virtue at a high price, and set but little value on talents of any kind, so that she, as a matter of course, displayed leniency to those who were placed under her. Madame Wang accordingly bade T'an Ch'un combine with Li Wan in the management of the household. "In a month," she argued, "lady Feng will be getting all right again, and then you can once more hand over charge to her."
Little, however, though one would think it, lady Feng was endowed with a poor physique. From her youth up, moreover, she had not known how to husband her health; and emulation and contentiousness had, more than anything else, combined to undermine her vital energies. Hence it was that although her complaint was a simple miscarriage, it had really, after all, been the outcome of loss of vigour. After a month symptoms of emissions of blood began also to show themselves. And notwithstanding her reluctance to utter what she felt every one, at the sight of her sallow and emaciated face, readily concluded that she was not nursing herself as well as she should.
Madame Wang therefore enjoined her merely to take her medicines and look to herself with due care; and she would not allow her to disquiet her mind about the least thing. But (lady Feng) herself also gave way to misgivings lest her illness should assume some grave phase, and much though she laughed with one and all, she was ever mindful to steal time to attend to her health, feeling inwardly vexed at not being able to soon get back her old strength again. But she had, as it happened, to dose herself with medicines and to nurse herself for three whole months, before she gradually began to rally and before the discharges stopped by degrees. But we will abstain from any reference to these details which pertain to the future, suffice it now to add that though Madame Wang noticed her improved state, (she thought it) impossible for the time being for T'an Ch'un and Li Wan to resign their charge. But so fidgetty was she lest with the large number of inmates in the garden proper control should not be exercised that she specially sent for Pao-ch'ai and begged of her to keep an eye over every place, explaining to her that the old matrons were of no earthly use, for whenever they could obtain any leisure, they drank and gambled; and slept during broad daylight, while they played at cards during the hours of night. "I know all about their doings," (she said). "When that girl Feng is well enough to go out, they have some little fear. But they're bound at present to consult again their own convenience. Yet you, dear child, are one in whom I can repose complete trust. Your brother and your female cousins are, on the one hand, young; and I can, on the other, afford no spare time; so do exert yourself on my behalf for a couple of days, and exercise proper supervision. And should anything unexpected turn up, just come and tell it to me. Don't wait until our old lady inquires about it, as I shall then find myself in a corner with nothing to say in my defence. If those servants aren't on their good behaviour, mind you blow them up; and if they don't listen to you, come and lay your complaint before me; for it will be best not to let anything assume a serious aspect."
Pao-ch'ai listened to her appeal and felt under the necessity of volunteering to undertake the charge.
The season was about the close of spring, so Tai-yue got her cough back again. But Hsiang-yuen was likewise laid up in the Heng Wu Yuean, as she too was affected by the weather, and day after day she saw numberless doctors and took endless medicines.
T'an Ch'un and Li Wan lived apart, but as they had of late assumed joint management of affairs, it was, unlike former years, extremely inconvenient even for the servants to go backwards and forwards to make their reports. They consequently resolved that they should meet early every day in the small three-roomed reception-hall, at the south side of the garden gate, to transact what business there was, and that their morning meal over, they should after noon return again to their quarters.
This three-roomed hall had originally been got ready at the time of the visit of the imperial consort to her parents, to accommodate the attendants and eunuchs. This visit over, it proved, therefore, no longer of use, and the old matrons simply came to it every night to keep watch. But mild weather had now set in, and any complete fittings were quite superfluous. All that could be seen about amounted to a few small pieces of furniture just sufficient for them to make themselves comfortable with. Over this hall was likewise affixed a placard, with the inscription in four characters:
"Perfected philanthropy, published virtue!"
Yet the place was generally known among the domestics as 'the discuss-matters-hall.' To this hall, (Li Wan and T'an Ch'un) would daily adjourn at six in the morning, and leave it at noon, and the wives of the managers and other servants, who had any matters to lay before them, came and went in incessant strings.
When the domestics heard that Li Wan would assume sole control, each and all felt secretly elated; for as Li Wan had always been considerate, forbearing and loth to inflict penalties, she would be, of course, they thought, easier to put off than lady Feng. Even when T'an Ch'un was added, they again remembered that she was only a youthful unmarried girl and that she too had ever shown herself goodnatured and kindly to a degree, so none of them worried their minds about her, and they became considerably more indolent than when they had to deal with lady Feng. But after the expiry of three or four days several concerns passed through her hands, which gave them an opportunity to gradually find out that T'an Ch'un did not, in smartness and thoroughness, yield to lady Feng, and that the only difference between them was that she was soft in speech and gentle in disposition. By a remarkable coincidence, princes, dukes, marquises, earls, and hereditary officials arrived for consecutive days from various parts; all of whom were, if not the relatives of the Jung and Ning mansions, at least their old friends. There were either those who had obtained transfers on promotion, or others who had been degraded; either those, who had married, or those who had gone into mourning, and Madame Wang had so much congratulating and condoling, receiving and escorting to do that she had no time to attend to any entertaining. There was therefore less than ever any one in the front part to look after things. So while (T'an Ch'un and Li Wan) spent their whole days in the hall, Pao-ch'ai tarried all day in the drawing-rooms, to keep an eye over what was going on; and they only betook themselves back to their quarters after Madame Wang's return. Of a night, they whiled away their leisure hours by doing needlework; but they would, previous to retiring to sleep, get into their chairs, and, taking along with them the servants, whose duty it was to be on night watch in the garden, and other domestics as well, they visited each place on their round. Such was the control exercised by these three inmates that signs were not wanting to prove that greater severity was observed than in the days when the management devolved on lady Feng. To this reason must be assigned the fact that all the servants attached inside as well as outside cherished a secret grudge against them. "No sooner," they insinuated, "has one patrolling ogre come than they add three more cerberean sort of spring josses so that even at night we've got less time than ever to sip a cup of wine and indulge in a romp!"
On the day that Madame Wang was going to a banquet at the mansion of the Marquis of Chin Hsiang, Li Wan and T'an Ch'un arranged their coiffure and performed their ablutions at an early hour; and after waiting upon her until she went out of doors, they repaired into the hall and installed themselves in their seats. But just as they were sipping their tea, they espied Wu Hsin-teng's wife walk in. "Mrs. Chao's brother, Chao Kuo-chi," she observed, "departed this life yesterday; the tidings have already been reported to our old mistress and our lady, who said that it was all right, and bade me tell you, Miss."
At the close of this announcement, she respectfully dropped her arms against her body, and stood aloof without adding another word. The servants, who came at this season to lay their reports before (T'an Ch'un and Li Wan), mustered no small number. But they all endeavoured to find out how their two new mistresses ran the household; for as long they managed things properly, one and all willingly resolved to respect them, but in the event of the least disagreement or improper step, not only did they not submit to them, but they also spread, the moment they put their foot outside the second gate, numberless jokes on their account and made fun of them. Wu Hsin-teng's wife had thus devised an experiment in her own mind. Had she had to deal with lady Feng, she would have long ago made an attempt to show off her zeal by proposing numerous alternatives and discovering various bygone precedents, and then allowed lady Feng to make her own choice and take action; but, in this instance, she looked with such disdain on Li Wan, on account of her simplicity, and on T'an Ch'un, on account of her youthfulness, that she volunteered only a single sentence, in order to put both these ladies to the test, and see what course they would be likely to adopt.
"What shall we do?" T'an Ch'un asked Li Wan.
Li Wan reflected for a while. "The other day," she rejoined, "that Hsi Jen's mother died, I heard that she was given forty taels. So now give her forty taels as well and have done!"
Upon hearing this proposal, Wu Hsin-teng's wife eagerly expressed her acquiescence, by uttering a yes; and taking over the permit she was going on her way at once.
"Come back," shouted T'an Ch'un.
"Wu Hsing-teng's wife had perforce to retrace her footsteps.
"Wait, don't get the money yet," T'an Ch'un remarked. "I want to ask you something. Some of the old secondary wives, attached years back to our venerable senior's rooms, lived inside the establishment; others outside; there were these two distinctions between them. Now if any of them died at home, how much was allowed them? And how much was allotted to such as died outside? Tell us what was given in either case for our guidance."
As soon as Wu Hsin-teng's wife was asked this question, every detail bearing on the subject slipped from her memory. Hastily forcing a smile, "This is," she replied, "nothing of any such great consequence. Whether much or little be allowed, who'll ever venture to raise a quarrel about it?"
T'an Ch'un then smiled. "This is all stuff and nonsense!" she exclaimed. "My idea is that it would be better to give a hundred taels. For if we don't comply with what's right, we shall, not to speak of your ridiculing us, find it also a hard job by and bye to face your mistress Secunda."
"Well, in that case," laughed Wu Hsin-teng's wife, "I'll go and look up the old accounts. I can't recollect anything about them just at this moment."
"You're quite an old hand in the management of affairs," T'an Ch'un observed with a significant smile, "and can't you remember, but come instead to perplex us? Whenever you've had anything of the kind to lay before your lady Secunda, have you also had to go first and look it up? But if this has been the practice, lady Feng can't be looked upon as being such a dreadful creature. One could very well call her lenient and kind. Yet don't you yet hurry to go and hunt them up and bring them to me to see? If we dilly-dally another day, they won't run you people down for your coarse-mindedness, but we will seem to have been driven to our wits' ends!"
Wu Hsin-teng's wife got quite scarlet in the face. Promptly twisting herself round, she quitted the hall; while the whole bevy of married women stretched out their tongues significantly.
During her absence, other matters were reported. But in a little while, Wu Hsin-teng's wife returned with the old accounts. On inspection, T'an Ch'un found that for a couple of secondary wives, who had lived in the establishment, twenty-four taels had been granted, and that for two, whose quarters had been outside, forty taels had in each case been allowed. Besides these two, others were mentioned, who had lived outside the mansion; to one of whom a hundred taels had been given, and to the other, sixty taels. Under these two records, the reasons were assigned. In the one case, the coffins of father and mother had had to be removed from another province, and sixty taels extra had consequently been granted. In the other, an additional twenty taels had been allowed, as a burial-place had to be purchased at the time.
T'an Ch'un handed the accounts to Li Wan for her perusal.
"Give her twenty taels," readily suggested T'an Ch'un. "Leave these accounts here for us to examine minutely."
Wu Hsin-teng's wife then walked away. But unexpectedly Mrs. Chao entered the hall. Li Wan and T'an Ch'un speedily pressed her to take a seat.
Mrs. Chao then broke the silence. "All the inmates of these rooms have trampled me under heel," she said, "but never mind! Yet, my child, just ponder, it is only fair that you should take my part."
While ventilating her grievances, her eyes got moist, her nose watered, and she began to sob.
"To whom are you alluding Mrs. Chao?" T'an Ch'un hastily inquired. "I can't really make out what you're driving at. Who tramples you under foot? Speak out and I'll take up your cudgels."
"You're now trampling me down yourself, young lady," Mrs. Chao observed. "And to whom can I go and tell my grievance?"
T'an Ch'un, at these words, jumped up with alacrity. "I never would presume to do any such thing," she protested.
Li Wan too vehemently sprung to her feet to proffer her some good counsel.
"Pray seat yourselves, both of you," Mrs. Chao cried, "and listen to what I have to say. I've had, like simmering oil, to consume away in these rooms to this advanced age. There's also your brother besides. Yet I can't compare myself now even to Hsi Jen, and what credit do I enjoy? But you haven't as well any face, so don't let's speak of myself."
"It was really on account of this," T'an Ch'un smiled, "that I said that I didn't presume to disregard right and to violate propriety."
While she spoke, she resumed her seat, and taking up the accounts, she turned them over for Mrs. Chao to glance at, after which she read them out to her for her edification. "These are old customs," she proceeded, "enforced by the seniors of the family, and every one complies with them, and could I ever, pray, have changed them? These will hold good not only with Hsi Jen; but even when by and bye Huan-erh takes a concubine, the same course will naturally be adopted as in the case of Hsi Jen. This is no question for any large quarrels or small disputes, and no mention should be made about face or no face. She's our Madame Wang's servant-girl, and I've dealt with her according to a long-standing precedent. Those who say that I've taken suitable action will come in for our ancestors' bounty and our lady's bounty as well. But should any one uphold that I've adopted an unfair course, that person is devoid of all common sense and totally ignorant of what a blessing means. The only thing she can do is to foster as much resentment as she chooses. Our lady, Madame Wang, may even give a present of a house to any one; what credit is that to me? Again, she may not give a single cash, but even that won't imply any loss of face, as far as I am concerned. What I have to say is that as Madame Wang is away from home, you should quietly look after yourself a bit. What's the good of worrying and fretting? Our lady is extremely fond of me; and, if, at different times, a chilliness has sprung up on her part, it's because you, Mrs. Chao, have again and again been officious. Had I been a man and able to have gone abroad, I would long ago have run away and started some business. I would then have had something of my own to attend to. But, as it happens, I am a girl, so that I can't even recklessly utter so much as a single remark. Madame Wang is well aware of it in her heart. And it's now because she entertains a high opinion of me that she recently bade me assume the charge of domestic affairs. But before I've had time enough to do a single good act, here you come, Mrs. Chao, to lay down the law. If this reaches Madame Wang's ear, I fear I shall get into trouble. She won't let me exercise any control, and then I shall, in real earnest, come in for no face. But even you, Mrs. Chao, will then actually lose countenance."
Reasoning with her, she so little could repress her tears that they rolled down her cheeks.
Mrs. Chao had not a word more to say to refute her arguments with. "If Madame Wang loves you," she simply responded, "there's still more reason why you should have drawn us into her favour. (Instead of that), all you think about is to try and win Madame Wang's affections, and you forget all about us."
"How ever did I forget you?" T'an Ch'un exclaimed. "How would you have me drag you into favour? Go and ask every one of them, and you'll see what mistress is indifferent to any one, who exerts her energies and makes herself useful, and what worthy person requires being drawn into favour?"
Li Wan, who stood by, did her best to pacify them with her advice. "Mrs. Chao," she argued, "don't lose your temper! Neither should you feel any ill-will against this young lady of yours. Had she even at heart every good intention to lend you a hand, how could she put it into words?"
"This worthy senior dame," T'an Ch'un impatiently interposed, "has also grown quite dense! Whom could I drag into favour? Why, in what family, do the young ladies give a lift to slave-girls? Their qualities as well as defects should all alike be well known to you people. And what have they got to do with me?"
Mrs. Chao was much incensed. "Who tells you," she asked, "to give a lift to any one? Were it not that you looked after the house, I wouldn't have come to inquire anything of you. But anything you may suggest is right; so had you, now that your maternal uncle is dead, granted twenty or thirty taels in excess, is it likely that Madame Wang would not have given you her consent? It's evident that our Madame Wang is a good woman and that it's you people who are mean and stingy. Unfortunately, however, her ladyship has with all her bounty no opportunity of exercising it. You could, my dear girl, well set your mind at ease. You wouldn't, in this instance, have had to spend any of your own money; and at your marriage by and bye, I would still have borne in mind the exceptional regard you had shown the Chao family. But now that you've got your full plumage, you've forgotten your extraction, and chosen a lofty branch to fly to."
Before T'an Ch'un had heard her to the end, she flew into such a rage that her face blanched; and choking for breath, she gasped and panted. Sobbing, she asked the while: "Who's my maternal uncle? My maternal uncle was at the end of the year promoted to be High Commissioner of the Nine Provinces! How can another maternal uncle have cropped up? It's because I've ever shown that reverence enjoined by the rites that other relatives have now more than ever turned up. If what you say be the case, how is it that every day that Huan-erh goes out, Chao Kuo-chi too stands up, and follows him to school? Why doesn't he put on the airs of an uncle? What's the reason that he doesn't? Who isn't aware of the fact that I'm born of a concubine? Would it require two or three months' time to trace my extraction? But the fact is you've come to kick up all this hullaballoo for fear lest people shouldn't be alive to the truth; and with the express design of making it public all over the place! But I wonder who of us two will make the other lose face? Luckily, I've got my wits about me; for had I been a stupid creature ignorant of good manners, I would long ago have lost all patience."
Li Wan was much concerned, but she had to continue to exhort them to desist. But Mrs. Chao proceeded with a long rigmarole until a servant was unexpectedly heard to report that lady Secunda had sent Miss Ping to deliver a message. Mrs. Chao caught the announcement, and eventually held her peace, when they espied P'ing erh making her appearance. Mrs. Chao hastily forced a saturnine smile, and motioned to her to take a seat. "Is your lady any better?" she went on to inquire with vehemence. "I was just thinking of going to look her up; but I could find no leisure!"
Upon seeing P'ing Erh enter, Li Wan felt prompted to ask her the object of her visit.
"My lady says," P'ing Erh smilingly responded, "that she apprehends, now that Mrs. Chao's brother is dead, that your ladyship and you, miss, are not aware of the existence of an old precedent. According to the ordinary practice no more need be given than twenty taels; but she now requests you, miss, to consider what would be best to do; if even you add a good deal more, it will do well enough."
T'an Ch'un at once wiped away all traces of tears. "What's the use of another addition, when there's no valid reason for it?" she promptly demurred. "Who has again been twenty months in the womb? Or is it forsooth any one who's gone to the wars, and managed to escape with his life, carrying his master on his back? Your mistress is certainly very ingenious! She tells me to disregard the precedent, in order that she should pose as a benefactress! She wishes to take the money, which Madame Wang spurns, so as to reap the pleasure of conferring favours! Just you tell her that I could not presume to add or reduce anything, or even to adopt any reckless decision. Let her add what she wants and make a display of bounty. When she gets better and is able to come out, she can effect whatever additions she fancies."
The moment P'ing Erh arrived, she obtained a fair insight (into lady Feng's designs), so when she heard the present remarks, she grasped a still more correct idea of things. But perceiving an angry look about T'an Ch'un's face, she did not have the temerity to behave towards her as she would, had she found her in the high spirits of past days. All she did therefore was to stand aloof with her arms against her sides and to wait in rigid silence. Just at that moment, however, Pao-ch'ai dropped in, on her return from the upper rooms. T'an Ch'un quickly rose to her feet, and offered her a seat. But before they had had time to exchange any words, a married woman likewise came to report some business.
But as T'an Ch'un had been having a good cry, three or four young maids brought her a basin, towel, and hand-glass and other articles of toilette. T'an Ch'un was at the moment seated cross-legged, on a low wooden couch, so the maid with the basin had, when she drew near, to drop on both her knees and lift it high enough to bring it within reach. The other two girls prostrated themselves next to her and handed the towels and the rest of the toilet things, which consisted of a looking-glass, rouge and powder. But P'ing Erh noticed that Shih Shu was not in the room, and approaching T'an Ch'un with hasty step, she tucked up her sleeves for her and unclasped her bracelets. Seizing also a large towel from the hands of one of the maids, she covered the lapel on the front part of T'an Ch'un's dress; whereupon T'an Ch'un put out her hands, and washed herself in the basin.
"My lady and miss," the married woman observed, "may it please you to pay what has been spent in the family school for Mr. Chia Huan and Mr.. Chia Lan during the year."
P'ing Erh was the first to speak. "What are you in such a hurry for?" she cried. "You've got your eyes wide open, and must be able to see our young lady washing her face; instead of coming forward to wait on her, you start talking! Do you also behave in this blind sort of way in the presence of your lady Secunda? This young lady is, it's true, generous and lenient, but I'll go and report you to your mistress. I'll simply tell her that you people have no eye for Miss T'an Ch'un. But when you find yourselves in a mess, don't bear me any malice."
At this hint the woman took alarm, and hastily forcing a smile, she pleaded guilty. "I've been rude," she exclaimed. With these words, she rushed with all despatch out of the room.
T'an Ch'un smoothed her face. While doing so, she turned herself towards P'ing Erh and gave her a cynical smile. "You've come just one step too late," she remarked. "You weren't in time to see something laughable! Even sister Wu, an old hand at business though she be, failed to look up clearly an old custom and came to play her tricks on us. But when we plied her with questions, she luckily had the face to admit that it had slipped from her memory. 'Do you,' I insinuated, 'also forget, when you've got anything to report to lady Secunda? and have you subsequently to go and hunt up all about it?' Your mistress can't, I fancy, be so patient as to wait while she goes and institutes proper search."
P'ing Erh laughed. "Were she to have behaved but once in this wise," she observed, "I feel positive that a couple of the tendons of her legs would have long ago been snapped. But, Miss, don't credit all they say. It's because they see that our senior mistress is as sweet-tempered as a 'P'u-sa,' and that you, miss, are a modest young lady, that they, naturally, shirk their duties and come and take liberties with you. Your mind is set upon playing the giddy dogs," continuing, she added; speaking towards those beyond the doorway; "but when your mistress gets quite well again, we'll tell her all."
"You're gifted with the greatest perspicacity, miss," the married women, standing outside the door, smiled in chorus. "The proverb says: 'the person who commits a fault must be the one to suffer.' We don't in any way presume to treat any mistress with disdain. Our mistress at present is in delicate health, and if we intentionally provoke her, may we, when we die, have no place to have our corpses interred in."
P'ing Erh laughed a laugh full irony. "So long as you're aware of this, it's well and good," she said. And smiling a saturnine smile, she resumed, addressing herself to T'an Ch'un: "Miss, you know very well how busy our lady has been and how little she could afford the time to keep this tribe of people in order. Of course, they couldn't therefore, be prevented from becoming remiss. The adage has it: 'Lookers-on are clear of sight!' During all these years that you, have looked on dispassionately, there have possibly been instances on which, though additions or reductions should have been made, our lady Secunda has not been able to effect them, so, miss, do add or curtail whatever you may deem necessary, in order that, first, Madame Wang may be benefited, and that, secondly, you mayn't too render nugatory the kindness with which you ever deal towards our mistress."
But scarcely had she finished, than Pao-ch'ai and Li Wan smilingly interposed. "What a dear girl!" they ejaculated. "One really can't feel angry with that hussy Feng for being partial to her and fond of her. We didn't, at first, see how we could very well alter anything by any increase or reduction, but after what you've told us, we must hit upon one or two things and try and devise means to do something, with a view of not showing ourselves ungrateful of the advice you've tendered us."
"My heart was swelling with indignation," T'an Ch'un observed laughing, "and I was about to go and give vent to my temper with her mistress, but now that she (P'ing Erh) has happened to come, she has, with a few words, quite dissuaded me from my purpose."
While she spoke, she called the woman, who had been with them a few minutes back, to return into the room. "For what things for Mr. Chia Huan and Mr. Chia Lau was the money expended during the year in the family school?" she inquired of her.
"For cakes," replied the woman, "they ate during the year at school; or for the purchase of paper and pens. Each one of them is allowed eight taels."
"The various expenses on behalf of the young men," T'an Ch'un added, "are invariably paid in monthly instalments to the respective households. For cousin Chia Huan's, Mrs. Chao receives two taels. For Pao-yue's, Hsi Jen draws two taels from our venerable senior's suite of apartments. For cousin Chia Lan's, some one, in our senior lady's rooms, gets the proper allowance. So how is it that these extra eight taels have to be disbursed at school for each of these young fellows? Is it really for these eight taels that they go to school? But from this day forth I shall put a stop to this outlay. So P'ing Erh, when you get back, tell your mistress that I say that this item must absolutely be done away with."
"This should have been done away with long ago," P'ing Erh smiled. "Last year our lady expressed her intention to eliminate it, but with the endless things that claimed her attention about the fall of the year, she forgot all about it."
The woman had no other course than to concur with her views and to walk away. But the married women thereupon arrived from the garden of Broad Vista with the boxes of eatables. So Shih Shu and Su Yuen at once brought a small dining-table, and P'ing Erh began to fuss about laying the viands on it.
"If you've said all you had," T'an Ch'un laughed, "you'd better be off and attend to your business. What's the use of your bustling about here?"
"I've really got nothing to do," P'ing Erh answered smiling. "Our lady Secunda sent me first, to deliver a message; and next, because she feared that the servants in here weren't handy enough. The fact is, she bade me come and help the girls wait on you, my lady, and on you, miss."
"Why don't you bring Mrs. Pao's meal so that she should have it along with us?" T'an Ch'un then inquired.
As soon as the waiting-maids heard her inquiry, they speedily rushed out and went under the eaves. "Go," they cried, directing the married women, "and say that Miss Pao-ch'ai would like to have her repast just now in the hall along with the others, and tell them to send the eatables here."
T'an Ch'un caught their directions. "Don't be deputing people to go on reckless errands!" she vociferated. "Those are dames, who manage important matters and look after the house, and do you send them to ask for eatables and inquire about tea? You haven't even the least notion about gradation. P'ing Erh is standing here, so tell her to go and give the message."
P'ing Erh immediately assented, and issued from the room, bent upon going on the errand. But the married women stealthily pulled her back. "How could you, miss, be made to go and tell them?" they smiled. "We've got some one here, who can do so!"
So saying, they dusted one of the stone steps with their handkerchiefs. "You've been standing so long," they observed, "that you must feel quite tired. Do sit in this sunny place and have a little rest."
P'ing Erh took a seat on the step. Two matrons attached to the tea-room then fetched a rug and spread it out for her. "It's cold on those stones," they ventured; "this is, as clean as it can be. So, miss, do make the best of it, and use it!"
P'ing Erh hastily forced a smile. "Many thanks," she replied.
Another matron next brought her a cup of fine new tea. "This isn't the tea we ordinarily drink," she quietly smiled. "This is really for entertaining the young ladies with. Miss, pray moisten your mouth with some."
P'ing Erh lost no time in bending her body forward and taking the cup. Then pointing at the company of married women, she observed in a low voice: "You're all too fond of trouble! The way you're going on won't do at all! She (T'an Ch'un) is only a young girl, so she is loth to show any severity, or display any temper. This is because she's full of respect. Yet you people look down on her and insult her. Should she, however, be actually provoked into any violent fit of anger, people will simply say that her behaviour was rather rough, and all will be over. But as for you, you'll get at once into endless trouble. Even though she might show herself somewhat wilful, Madame Wang treats her with considerable forbearance, and lady Secunda too hasn't the courage to meddle with her; and do you people have such arrogance as to look down on her? This is certainly just as if an egg were to go and bang itself against a stone!"
"When were we ever so audacious?" the servants exclaimed with one voice. "This fuss is all the work of Mrs. Chao!"
"Never mind about that!" P'ing Erh urged again in an undertone. "My dear ladies, 'when a wall falls, every one gives it a shove.' That Mrs. Chao has always been rather topsy-turvey in her ways, and done things by halves; so whenever there has been any rumpus, you've invariably shoved the blame on to her shoulders. Never have you had any regard for any single person. Your designs are simply awful! Is it likely that all these years that I've been here, I haven't come to know of them? Had our lady Secunda mismanaged things just a little bit, she would have long ago been run down by every one of you, ladies! Even such as she is, you would, could you only get the least opportunity, be ready to place her in a fix! And how many, many times hasn't she been abused by you?"
"She's dreadful," one and all of them rejoined. "You all live in fear and trembling of her. But we know well enough that no one could say that she too does not in the depths of her heart entertain some little dread for the lot of you. The other day, we said, in talking matters over, that things could not go on smoothly from beginning to end, and that some unpleasantness was bound to happen. Miss Tertia is, it's true, a mere girl, and you've always treated her with little consideration, but out of that company of senior and junior young ladies, she is the only soul whom our lady Secunda funks to some certain extent. And yet you people now won't look up to her."
So speaking Ch'iu Wen appeared to view. The married women ran up to her and inquired after her health. "Miss," they said, "do rest a little. They've had their meal served in there, so wait until things have been cleared away, before you go and deliver your message."
"I'm not like you people," Ch'iu Wen smiled. "How can I afford to wait?"
With these words on her lips, she was about to go into the hall, when P'ing Erh quickly called her back. Ch'iu Wen, upon turning her head round, caught sight of P'ing Erh. "Have you too," she remarked with a smile, "come here to become something like those guardians posted outside the enclosing walls?"
Retracing, at the same time, her footsteps, she took a seat on the rug, occupied by P'ing Erh.
"What message have you got to deliver?" P'ing Erh gently asked.
"I've got to ask when we can get Pao-yue's monthly allowance and our own too," she responded.
"Is this any such pressing matter?" P'ing Erh answered. "Go back quick, and tell Hsi Jen that my advice is that no concern whatever should be brought to their notice to-day. That every single matter reported is bound to be objected to; and that even a hundred will just as surely be vetoed."
"Why is it?" vehemently inquired Ch'iu Wen, upon hearing this explanation.
P'ing Erh and the other servants then promptly told her the various reasons. "She's just bent," they proceeded, "upon finding a few weighty concerns in order to establish, at the expense of any decent person who might chance to present herself, a precedent of some kind or other so as to fix upon a mode of action, which might help to put down expenses to their proper level, and afford a lesson to the whole household; and why are you people the first to come and bump your heads against the nails? If you went now and told them your errand, it would also reflect discredit upon our venerable old mistress and Madame Wang, were they to pounce upon one or two matters to make an example of you. But if they complied with one or two of your applications, others will again maintain 'that they are inclined to favour this one and show partiality to that one; that as you had your old mistress' and Madame Wang's authority to fall back upon, they were afraid and did not presume to provoke their displeasure; that they only avail themselves of soft-natured persons to make scapegoats of.' Just mark my words! She even means to raise objections in one or two matters connected with our lady Secunda, in order to be the better able to shut up people's mouths."
Ch'iu Wen listened to her with patient ear; and then stretching out her tongue, "It's lucky enough you were here, sister P'ing," she smiled; "otherwise, I would have had my nose well rubbed on the ground. I shall seize the earliest opportunity and give the lot of them a hint."
While replying, she immediately rose to her feet and took leave of them. Soon after her departure, Pao-ch'ai's eatables arrived, and P'ing Erh hastened to enter and wait on her. By that time Mrs. Chao had left, so the three girls seated themselves on the wooden bed, and went through their repast. Pao-ch'ai faced the south. T'an Ch'un the west. Li Wan the east. The company of married women stood quietly under the verandah ready to answer any calls. Within the precincts of the chamber, only such maids remained in waiting as had ever been their closest attendants. None of the other servants ventured, of their own accord, to put their foot anywhere inside.
The married women (meanwhile) discussed matters in a confidential whisper. "Let's do our downright best to save trouble," they argued. "Don't let us therefore harbour any evil design, for even dame Wu will, in that case, be placed in an awkward fix. And can we boast of any grand honours to expect to fare any better?"
While they stood on one side, and held counsel together, waiting for the meal to be over to make their several reports, they could not catch so much as the caw of a crow inside the rooms. Neither did the clatter of bowls and chopsticks reach their ears. But presently, they discerned a maid raise the frame of the portiere as high as she could, and two other girls bring the table out. In the tea-room, three maids waited with three basins in hand. The moment they saw the dining-table brought out, all three walked in. But after a brief interval, they egressed with the basins and rinsing cups. Shih Shu, Su Yuen and Ying Erh thereupon entered with three covered cups of tea, placed in trays. Shortly however these three girls also made their exit. Shih Shu then recommended a young maid to be careful and attend to the wants (of their mistresses). "When we've had our rice," she added, "we'll come and relieve you. But don't go stealthily again and sit down!"
The married women at length delivered their reports in a quiet and orderly manner; and as they did not presume to be as contemptuous and offhandish as they had been before, T'an Ch'un eventually cooled down.
"I've got something of moment," she then observed to P'ing Erh, "about which I would like to consult your mistress. Happily, I remembered it just now, so come back as soon as you've had your meal. Miss Pao-ch'ai is also here at present, so, after we four have deliberated together, you can carefully ask your lady whether action is to be taken accordingly or not."
P'ing Erh acquiesced and returned to her quarters. "How is it," inquired lady Feng, "that you've been away such an age?"
P'ing Erh smiled and gave her a full account of what had recently transpired.
"What a fine, splendid girl Miss Tertia is!" she laughingly ejaculated. "What I said was quite right! The only pity is that she should have had such a miserable lot as not to have been born of a primary wife."
"My lady, you're also talking a lot of trash!" P'ing Erh smiled. "She, mayn't be Madame Wang's child, but is it likely that any one would be so bold as to point the finger of scorn at her, and not treat her like the others?"
Lady Feng sighed. "How could you know everything?" she remarked. "She is, of course, the offspring of a concubine, but as a mere girl, she can't be placed on the same footing as a man! By and bye, when any one aspires to her hand, the sort of supercilious parties, who now tread the world, will, as a first step, ask whether this young lady is the child of a No. 1 or No. 2 wife. And many of these won't have anything to say to her, as she is the child, of a No. 2. But really people haven't any idea that, not to speak of her as the offspring of a secondary wife, she would be, even as a mere servant-girl of ours, far superior than the very legitimate daughter of any family. Who, I wonder, will in the future be so devoid of good fortune as to break off the match; just because he may be inclined to pick and choose between a wife's child and a concubine's child? And who, I would like to know, will be that lucky fellow, who'll snatch her off without any regard to No. 1 and No. 2?"
Continuing, she resumed, turning smilingly towards P'ing Erh, "You know well enough how many ways and means I've had all these years to devise in order to effect retrenchment, and how there isn't, I may safely aver, a single soul in the whole household, who doesn't detest me behind my back. But now that I'm astride on the tiger's back, (I must go on; for if I put my foot on the ground, I shall be devoured). It's true, my tactics have been more or less seen through, but there's no help for it; I can't very well become more open-handed in a moment! In the second place, much goes out at home, and little comes in; and the hundred and one, large and small, things, which turn up, are still managed with that munificence so characteristic of our old ancestors. But the funds, that come in throughout the year, fall short of the immense sums of past days. And if I try again to effect any savings people will laugh at me, our venerable senior and Madame Wang suffer wrongs, and the servants abhor me for my stinginess. Yet, if we don't seize the first opportunity to think of some plan for enforcing retrenchment, our means will, in the course of a few more years, be completely exhausted."
"Quite so!" assented P'ing Erh. "By and bye, there will be three or four daughters and two or three more sons added; and our old mistress won't be able, singlehanded, to meet all this heavy outlay."
"I myself entertain fears on the same score," lady Feng smiled. "But, after all, there will be ample. For when Pao-yue and cousin Lin get married, there won't be any need to touch a cent of public money, as our old lady has her own private means, and she can well fork out some. Miss Secunda is the child of your senior master yonder, and she too needn't be taken into account. So there only remain three or four, for each of whom one need only spend, at the utmost, ten thousand taels. Cousin Huan will marry in the near future; and if an outlay of three thousand taels prove insufficient, we will be able, by curtailing the bandoline, used in those rooms for smoothing the hair with, make both ends meet. And should our worthy senior's end come about, provision for everything is already made. All that we'll have to do will be to spend some small sum for a few miscellaneous trifles; and three to five thousand taels will more than suffice. So with further economies at present, there will be plenty for all our successive needs. The only fear is lest anything occur at an unforeseen juncture; for then it will be dreadful! But don't let us give way to apprehensions with regard to the future! You'd better have your rice; and when you've done, be quick and go and hear what they mean to treat about in their deliberations. I must now turn this opportunity to the best account. I was only this very minute lamenting that I had no help at my disposal. There's Pao-yue, it's true, but he too is made of the same stuff as the rest of them in here. Were I even to get him under my thumb, it would be of no earthly use whatever. Senior lady is as good-natured as a joss; and she likewise is no good. Miss Secunda is worse than useless. Besides, she doesn't belong to this place. Miss Quarta is only a child. That young fellow Lan and Huan-erh are, more than any of the others, like frozen kittens with frizzled coats. They only wait to find some warm hole in a stove into which they may poke themselves! Really from one and the same womb have been created two human beings (T'an Ch'un and Chia Huan) so totally unlike each other as the heavens are distant from the earth. But when I think of all this, I feel quite angry! Again, that girl Lin and Miss Pao are both deserving enough, but as they also happen to be our connexions, they couldn't very well be put in charge of our family affairs. What's more, the one resembles a lantern, decorated with nice girls, apt to spoil so soon as it is blown by a puff of wind. The other has made up her mind not to open her month in anything that doesn't concern her. When she's questioned about anything, she simply shakes her head, and repeats thrice: 'I don't know,' so that it would be an extremely difficult job to go and ask her to lend a helping hand. There's only therefore Miss Tertia, who is as sharp of mind as of tongue. She's besides a straightforward creature in this household of ours and Madame Wang is attached to her as well. It's true that she outwardly makes no display of her feelings for her, but it's all that old thing Mrs. Chao, who has done the mischief, for, in her heart, she actually holds her as dear as she does Pao-yue. She's such a contrast to Huan-erh! He truly makes it hard for any one to care a rap for him. Could I have had my own way, I would long ere this have packed him out of the place. But since she (T'au Ch'un) has now got this idea into her mind, we must cooperate with her. For if we can afford each other a helping hand, I too won't be single-handed and alone. And as far as every right principle, eternal principle, and honesty of purpose go, we shall with such a person as a helpmate, be able to save ourselves considerable anxiety, and Madame Wang's interests will, on the other hand, derive every advantage. But, as far as unfairness and bad faith go, I've run the show with too malicious a hand, and I must turn tail and draw back from my old ways. When I review what I've done, I find that if I still push my tyrannical rule to the bitter end, people will hate me most relentlessly; so much so, that under their smiles they'll harbour daggers, and much though we two may then be able to boast of having four eyes and two heads between us, they'll compass our ruin, when they can at any moment find us off our guard. We should therefore make the best of this crisis, so that as soon as she takes the initiative and sets things in order, all that tribe of people may for a time lose sight of the bitter feelings they cherish against us, for the way we've dealt with them in the past. But there's another thing besides. I naturally know the great talents you possess, but I feel mistrust lest you should, by your own wits, not be able to bring things round. I enjoin these things then on you, now, for although a mere girl she has everything at her fingers' ends. The only thing is that she must try and be wary in speech. She's besides so much better read than I am that she's a harder nut to crack. Now the proverb says: 'in order to be able to catch the rebels, you must first catch their chief.' So if she's at present disposed to mature some plan and set to work to put it into practice, she'll certainly have to first and foremost make a start with me. In the event consequently of her raising objections to anything I've done, mind you don't begin any dispute with her. The more virulent she is in her censure of me, the more deferential you should be towards her. That's your best plan. And whatever you do, don't imagine that I'm afraid of any loss of face. But the moment you flare up with her, things won' go well......"
P'ing Erh did not allow her time to conclude her argument. "You're too much disposed to treat us as simpletons!" she smiled. "I've already carried out your wishes, and do you now enjoin all these things on me?"
Lady Feng smiled. "It's because," she resumed, "I feared lest you, who have your eyes and mouth so full of me, and only me, might be inclined to show no regard whatever for her, that's why. I couldn't, therefore, but tender you the advice I did. But since you've already done what I wanted you to do, you've shown yourself far sharper than I am. There's nothing in this to drive you into another tantrum, and to make that mouth of yours begin to chatter away so much about 'you and I,' 'you and I' !"
"I've actually addressed you as 'you' ;" P'ing Erh rejoined; "but if you be displeased at it, isn't this a case of a slap on the mouth? You can very well give me another one, for is it likely that this phiz of mine hasn't as yet tasted any, pray?"
"What a vixen you are!" lady Feng said smilingly. "How many faults will you go on picking out, before you shut up? You see how ill I am, and yet you come to rub me the wrong way. Come and sit down; for you and I can at all events have our meal together when there is no one to break in upon us. It's only right that we should."
While these remarks dropped from her lips, Feng Erh and some three or four other maids entered the room and laid the small stove-couch table. Lady Feng only ate some birds' nests' soup and emptied two small plates of some recherche light viands; for she had long ago temporarily reduced her customary diet.
Feng Erh placed the four kinds of eatables allotted to P'ing Erh on the table. After which, she filled a bowl of rice for her. Then with one leg bent on the edge of the stove-couch, while the other rested on the ground, P'ing Erh kept lady Feng company during her repast; and waiting on her, afterwards, until she finished rinsing her mouth, she issued certain directions to Feng Erh, and crossed over at length to T'an Ch'un's quarters. Here she found the courtyard plunged in perfect stillness, for the various inmates, who had been assembled there, had already taken their leave.
But, reader, do you wish to follow up the story? If so, listen to the circumstances detailed in the next chapter.
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【选集】紅樓一春夢 |
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