中国经典 》 紅樓夢 A Dream of Red Mansions 》
第八回 比通靈金鶯微露意 探寶釵黛玉半含酸 CHAPTER VIII.
曹雪芹 Cao Xueqin
高鶚 Gao E
CHAPTER VIII.
 第八回 比通灵金莺微露意 探宝钗黛玉半含酸
卻說寶玉因送賈母回來，待賈母歇了中覺，意欲還去看戲取樂，又恐擾的秦氏等人不便，因想起近日薛寶釵在傢養病，未去親候，意欲去望他一望。若從上房後角門過去，又恐遇見別事纏繞，再或可巧遇見他父親，更為不妥，寧可繞遠路罷了。當下衆嬤嬤丫鬟伺候他換衣服，見他不換，仍出二門去了，衆嬤嬤丫鬟衹得跟隨出來，還衹當他去那府中看戲。誰知到穿堂，便嚮東嚮北繞廳後而去。偏頂頭遇見了門下清客相公詹光單聘仁二人走來，一見了寶玉，便都笑着趕上來，一個抱住腰，一個攜着手，都道：“我的菩薩哥兒，我說作了好夢呢，好容易得遇見了你。”說着，請了安，又問好，勞叨半日，方纔走開。老嬤嬤叫住，因問：“二位爺是從老爺跟前來的不是？"二人點頭道：“老爺在夢坡齋小書房裏歇中覺呢，不妨事的。”一面說，一面走了。說的寶玉也笑了。於是轉彎嚮北奔梨香院來。可巧銀庫房的總領名喚吳新登與倉上的頭目名戴良，還有幾個管事的頭目，共有七個人，從帳房裏出來，一見了寶玉，趕來都一齊垂手站住。獨有一個買辦名喚錢華，因他多日未見寶玉，忙上來打千兒請安，寶玉忙含笑攜他起來。衆人都笑說：“前兒在一處看見二爺寫的鬥方兒，字法越發好了，多早晚兒賞我們幾張貼貼。”寶玉笑道：“在那裏看見了？"衆人道：“好幾處都有，都稱贊的了不得，還和我們尋呢。”寶玉笑道：“不值什麽，你們說與我的小幺兒們就是了。”一面說，一面前走，衆人待他過去，方都各自散了。
閑言少述，且說寶玉來至梨香院中，先入薛姨媽室中來，正見薛姨媽打點針黹與丫鬟們呢。寶玉忙請了安，薛姨媽忙一把拉了他，抱入懷內，笑說：“這們冷天，我的兒，難為你想着來，快上炕來坐着罷。”命人倒滾滾的茶來。寶玉因問：“哥哥不在傢？"薛姨媽嘆道：“他是沒籠頭的馬，天天忙不了，那裏肯在傢一日。”寶玉道：“姐姐可大安了？"薛姨媽道：“可是呢，你前兒又想着打發人來瞧他。他在裏間不是，你去瞧他，裏間比這裏暖和，那裏坐着，我收拾收拾就進去和你說話兒。”寶玉聽說，忙下了炕來至裏間門前，衹見吊着半舊的紅н軟簾。寶玉掀簾一邁步進去，先就看見薛寶釵坐在炕上作針綫，頭上輓着漆黑油光的シ兒，蜜合色棉襖，玫瑰紫二色金銀鼠比肩褂，蔥黃綾棉裙，一色半新不舊，看去不覺奢華。唇不點而紅，眉不畫而翠，臉若銀盆，眼如水杏。罕言寡語，人謂藏愚，安分隨時，自云守拙。寶玉一面看，一面問：“姐姐可大愈了？"寶釵擡頭衹見寶玉進來，連忙起身含笑答說：“已經大好了，倒多謝記挂着。”說着，讓他在炕沿上坐了，即命鶯兒斟茶來。一面又問老太太姨娘安，別的姐妹們都好。一面看寶玉頭上戴着絲嵌寶紫金冠，額上勒着二竜搶珠金抹額，身上穿着秋香色立蟒白狐腋箭袖，係着五色蝴蝶鸞縧，項上挂着長命鎖，記名符，另外有一塊落草時銜下來的寶玉。寶釵因笑說道：“成日傢說你的這玉，究竟未曾細細的賞鑒，我今兒倒要瞧瞧。”說着便挪近前來。寶玉亦湊了上去，從項上摘了下來，遞在寶釵手內。寶釵托於掌上，衹見大如雀卵，燦若明霞，瑩潤如酥，五色花紋纏護。這就是大荒山中青埂峰下的那塊頑石的幻相。後人曾有詩嘲雲：
女媧煉石已荒唐，又嚮荒唐演大荒。
失去幽靈真境界，幻來親就臭皮囊。
好知運敗金無彩，堪嘆時乖玉不光。
白骨如山忘姓氏，無非公子與紅妝。那頑石亦曾記下他這幻相並癩僧所鎸的篆文，今亦按圖畫於後。但其真體最小，方能從胎中小兒口內銜下。今若按其體畫，恐字跡過於微細，使觀者大廢眼光，亦非暢事。故今衹按其形式，無非略展些規矩，使觀者便於燈下醉中可閱。今註明此故，方無胎中之兒口有多大，怎得銜此狼о蠢大之物等語之謗。
通靈寶玉正面圖式
通靈寶玉
註云莫失莫忘仙壽恆昌
通靈寶玉反面圖式
註云一除邪祟二療п疾三知禍福
寶釵看畢，又從新翻過正面來細看，口內念道：“莫失莫忘，仙壽恆昌。”念了兩遍，乃回頭嚮鶯兒笑道：“你不去倒茶，也在這裏發呆作什麽？"鶯兒嘻嘻笑道：“我聽這兩句話，倒象和姑娘的項圈上的兩句話是一對兒。”寶玉聽了，忙笑道：“原來姐姐那項圈上也有八個字，我也賞鑒賞鑒。”寶釵道：“你別聽他的話，沒有什麽字。”寶玉笑央：“好姐姐，你怎麽瞧我的了呢。”寶釵被纏不過，因說道：“也是個人給了兩句吉利話兒，所以鏨上了，叫天天帶着，不然，沉甸甸的有什麽趣兒。”一面說，一面解了排扣，從裏面大紅襖上將那珠寶晶瑩黃金燦爛的瓔珞掏將出來。寶玉忙托了鎖看時，果然一面有四個篆字，兩面八字，共成兩句吉讖。亦曾按式畫下形相：
音註云不離不棄
音註云芳齡永繼寶玉看了，也念了兩遍，又念自己的兩遍，因笑問：“姐姐這八個字倒真與我的是一對。”鶯兒笑道：“是個癩頭和尚送的，他說必須鏨在金器上-"寶釵不待說完，便嗔他不去倒茶，一面又問寶玉從那裏來。
寶玉此時與寶釵就近，衹聞一陣陣涼森森甜絲絲的幽香，竟不知係何香氣，遂問：“姐姐熏的是什麽香？我竟從未聞見過這味兒。”寶釵笑道：“我最怕熏香，好好的衣服，熏的煙燎火氣的。”寶玉道：“既如此，這是什麽香？"寶釵想了一想，笑道：“是了，是我早起吃了丸藥的香氣。”寶玉笑道：“什麽丸藥這麽好聞？好姐姐，給我一丸嘗嘗。”寶釵笑道：“又混鬧了，一個藥也是混吃的？”
一語未了，忽聽外面人說：“林姑娘來了。”話猶未了，林黛玉已搖搖的走了進來，一見了寶玉，便笑道：“噯喲，我來的不巧了！"寶玉等忙起身笑讓坐，寶釵因笑道：“這話怎麽說？"黛玉笑道：“早知他來，我就不來了。”寶釵道：“我更不解這意。”黛玉笑道：“要來一群都來，要不來一個也不來，今兒他來了，明兒我再來，如此間錯開了來着，豈不天天有人來了？也不至於太冷落，也不至於太熱鬧了。姐姐如何反不解這意思？”
寶玉因見他外面罩着大紅羽緞對衿褂子，因問：“下雪了麽？"地下婆娘們道：“下了這半日雪珠兒了。”寶玉道：“取了我的鬥篷來不曾？"黛玉便道：“是不是，我來了他就該去了。”寶玉笑道：“我多早晚兒說要去了？不過拿來預備着。”寶玉的奶母李嬤嬤因說道：“天又下雪，也好早晚的了，就在這裏同姐姐妹妹一處頑頑罷。姨媽那裏擺茶果子呢。我叫丫頭去取了鬥篷來，說給小幺兒們散了罷。”寶玉應允。李嬤嬤出去，命小廝們都各散去不提。
這裏薛姨媽已擺了幾樣細茶果來留他們吃茶。寶玉因誇前日在那府裏珍大嫂子的好鵝掌鴨信。薛姨媽聽了，忙也把自己糟的取了些來與他嘗。寶玉笑道：“這個須得就酒纔好。”薛姨媽便令人去灌了最上等的酒來。李嬤嬤便上來道：“姨太太，酒倒罷了。”寶玉央道：“媽媽，我衹喝一鐘。”李嬤嬤道：“不中用！當着老太太，太太，那怕你吃一壇呢。想那日我眼錯不見一會，不知是那一個沒調教的，衹圖討你的好兒，不管別人死活，給了你一口酒吃，葬送的我挨了兩日駡。姨太太不知道，他性子又可惡，吃了酒更弄性。有一日老太太高興了，又盡着他吃，什麽日子又不許他吃，何苦我白賠在裏面。”薛姨媽笑道：“老貨，你衹放心吃你的去。我也不許他吃多了。便是老太太問，有我呢。”一面令小丫鬟：“來，讓你奶奶們去，也吃杯搪搪雪氣。”那李嬤嬤聽如此說，衹得和衆人去吃些酒水。這裏寶玉又說：“不必溫暖了，我衹愛吃冷的。”薛姨媽忙道：“這可使不得，吃了冷酒，寫字手打р兒。”寶釵笑道：“寶兄弟，虧你每日傢雜學旁收的，難道就不知道酒性最熱，若熱吃下去，發散的就快，若冷吃下去，便凝結在內，以五髒去暖他，豈不受害？從此還不快不要吃那冷的了。”寶玉聽這話有情理，便放下冷酒，命人暖來方飲。
黛玉磕着瓜子兒，衹抿着嘴笑。可巧黛玉的小丫鬟雪雁走來與黛玉送小手爐，黛玉因含笑問他：“誰叫你送來的？難為他費心，那裏就冷死了我！"雪雁道：“紫鵑姐姐怕姑娘冷，使我送來的。”黛玉一面接了，抱在懷中，笑道：“也虧你倒聽他的話。我平日和你說的，全當耳旁風，怎麽他說了你就依，比聖旨還快些！"寶玉聽這話，知是黛玉藉此奚落他，也無回覆之詞，衹嘻嘻的笑兩陣罷了。寶釵素知黛玉是如此慣了的，也不去睬他。薛姨媽因道：“你素日身子弱，禁不得冷的，他們記挂着你倒不好？"黛玉笑道：“姨媽不知道。幸虧是姨媽這裏，倘或在別人傢，人傢豈不惱？好說就看的人傢連個手爐也沒有，巴巴的從傢裏送個來。不說丫鬟們太小心過餘，還衹當我素日是這等輕狂慣了呢。”薛姨媽道：“你這個多心的，有這樣想，我就沒這樣心。”
說話時，寶玉已是三杯過去。李嬤嬤又上來攔阻。寶玉正在心甜意洽之時，和寶黛姊妹說說笑笑的，那肯不吃。寶玉衹得屈意央告：“好媽媽，我再吃兩鐘就不吃了。”李嬤嬤道：“你可仔細老爺今兒在傢，с防問你的書！"寶玉聽了這話，便心中大不自在，慢慢的放下酒，垂了頭。黛玉先忙的說：“別掃大傢的興！舅舅若叫你，衹說姨媽留着呢。這個媽媽，他吃了酒，又拿我們來醒脾了！"一面悄推寶玉，使他賭氣，一面悄悄的咕噥說：“別理那老貨，咱們衹管樂咱們的。”那李嬤嬤不知黛玉的意思，因說道：“林姐兒，你不要助着他了。你倒勸勸他，衹怕他還聽些。”林黛玉冷笑道：“我為什麽助他？我也不犯着勸他。你這媽媽太小心了，往常老太太又給他酒吃，如今在姨媽這裏多吃一口，料也不妨事。必定姨媽這裏是外人，不當在這裏的也未可定。”李嬤嬤聽了，又是急，又是笑，說道：“真真這林姐兒，說出一句話來，比刀子還尖。你這算了什麽。”寶釵也忍不住笑着，把黛玉腮上一擰，說道：“真真這個顰丫頭的一張嘴，叫人恨又不是，喜歡又不是。”薛姨媽一面又說：“別怕，別怕，我的兒！來這裏沒好的你吃，別把這點子東西唬的存在心裏，倒叫我不安。衹管放心吃，都有我呢。越發吃了晚飯去，便醉了，就跟着我睡罷。”因命：“再燙熱酒來！姨媽陪你吃兩杯，可就吃飯罷。”寶玉聽了，方又鼓起興來。
李嬤嬤因吩咐小丫頭子們：“你們在這裏小心着，我傢裏換了衣服就來，悄悄的回姨太太，別由着他，多給他吃。”說着便傢去了。這裏雖還有三兩個婆子，都是不關痛癢的，見李嬤嬤走了，也都悄悄去尋方便去了。衹剩了兩個小丫頭子，樂得討寶玉的歡喜。幸而薛姨媽千哄萬哄的，衹容他吃了幾杯，就忙收過了。作酸筍雞皮湯，寶玉痛喝了兩碗，吃了半碗碧粳粥。一時薛林二人也吃完了飯，又釅釅的沏上茶來大傢吃了。薛姨媽方放了心。雪雁等三四個丫頭已吃了飯，進來伺候。黛玉因問寶玉道：“你走不走？"寶玉乜斜倦眼道：“你要走，我和你一同走。”黛玉聽說，遂起身道：“咱們來了這一日，也該回去了。還不知那邊怎麽找咱們呢。”說着，二人便告辭。
小丫頭忙捧過鬥笠來，寶玉便把頭略低一低，命他戴上。那丫頭便將着大紅猩氈鬥笠一抖，纔往寶玉頭上一合，寶玉便說：“罷，罷！好蠢東西，你也輕些兒！難道沒見過別人戴過的？讓我自己戴罷。”黛玉站在炕沿上道：“羅唆什麽，過來，我瞧瞧罷。”寶玉忙就近前來。黛玉用手整理，輕輕籠住束發冠，將笠沿掖在抹額之上，將那一顆核桃大的絳絨簪纓扶起，顫巍巍露於笠外。整理已畢，端相了端相，說道：“好了，披上鬥篷罷。”寶玉聽了，方接了鬥篷披上。薛姨媽忙道：“跟你們的媽媽都還沒來呢，且略等等不遲。”寶玉道：“我們倒去等他們，有丫頭們跟着也夠了。”薛姨媽不放心，到底命兩個婦女跟隨他兄妹方罷。他二人道了擾，一徑回至賈母房中。
賈母尚未用晚飯，知是薛姨媽處來，更加喜歡。因見寶玉吃了酒，遂命他自回房去歇着，不許再出來了。因命人好生看侍着。忽想起跟寶玉的人來，遂問衆人：“李奶子怎麽不見？"衆人不敢直說傢去了，衹說：“纔進來的，想有事纔去了。”寶玉踉蹌回頭道：“他比老太太還受用呢，問他作什麽！沒有他衹怕我還多活兩日。”一面說，一面來至自己的臥室。衹見筆墨在案，晴雯先接出來，笑說道：“好，好，要我研了那些墨，早起高興，衹寫了三個字，丟下筆就走了，哄的我們等了一日。快來與我寫完這些墨纔罷！"寶玉忽然想起早起的事來，因笑道：“我寫的那三個字在那裏呢？"晴雯笑道：“這個人可醉了。你頭裏過那府裏去，囑咐貼在這門鬥上，這會子又這麽問。我生怕別人貼壞了，我親自爬高上梯的貼上，這會子還凍的手僵冷的呢。”寶玉聽了，笑道：“我忘了。你的手冷，我替你渥着。”說着便伸手攜了晴雯的手，同仰首看門鬥上新書的三個字。
一時黛玉來了，寶玉笑道：“好妹妹，你別撒謊，你看這三個字那一個好？"黛玉仰頭看裏間門鬥上，新貼了三個字，寫着"絳雲軒"。黛玉笑道：“個個都好。怎麽寫的這們好了？明兒也與我寫一個匾。”寶玉嘻嘻的笑道：“又哄我呢。”說着又問：“襲人姐姐呢？"晴雯嚮裏間炕上努嘴。寶玉一看，衹見襲人和衣睡着在那裏。寶玉笑道：“好，太渥早了些。”因又問晴雯道：“今兒我在那府裏吃早飯，有一碟子豆腐皮的包子，我想着你愛吃，和珍大奶奶說了，衹說我留着晚上吃，叫人送過來的，你可吃了？"晴雯道：“快別提。一送了來，我知道是我的，偏我纔吃了飯，就放在那裏。後來李奶奶來了看見，說：‘寶玉未必吃了，拿了給我孫子吃去罷。’他就叫人拿了傢去了。”接着茜雪捧上茶來。寶玉因讓"林妹妹吃茶。”衆人笑說：“林妹妹早走了，還讓呢。”
寶玉吃了半碗茶，忽又想起早起的茶來，因問茜雪道：“早起沏了一碗楓露茶，我說過，那茶是三四次後纔出色的，這會子怎麽又沏了這個來？"茜雪道：“我原是留着的，那會子李奶奶來了，他要嘗嘗，就給他吃了。”寶玉聽了，將手中的茶杯衹順手往地下一擲，豁啷一聲，打了個粉碎，潑了茜雪一裙子的茶。又跳起來問着茜雪道：“他是你那一門子的奶奶，你們這麽孝敬他？不過是仗着我小時候吃過他幾日奶罷了。如今逞的他比祖宗還大了。如今我又吃不着奶了，白白的養着祖宗作什麽！攆了出去，大傢幹淨！"說着便要去立刻回賈母，攆他乳母。原來襲人實未睡着，不過故意裝睡，引寶玉來慪他頑耍。先聞得說字問包子等事，也還可不必起來，後來摔了茶鐘，動了氣，遂連忙起來解釋勸阻。早有賈母遣人來問是怎麽了。襲人忙道：“我纔倒茶來，被雪滑倒了，失手砸了鐘子。”一面又安慰寶玉道：“你立意要攆他也好，我們也都願意出去，不如趁勢連我們一齊攆了，我們也好，你也不愁再有好的來伏侍你。”寶玉聽了這話，方無了言語，被襲人等扶至炕上，脫換了衣服。不知寶玉口內還說些什麽，衹覺口齒纏綿，眼眉愈加餳澀，忙伏侍他睡下。襲人伸手從他項上摘下那通靈玉來，用自己的手帕包好，塞在褥下，次日帶時便冰不着脖子。那寶玉就枕便睡着了。彼時李嬤嬤等已進來了，聽見醉了，不敢前來再加觸犯，衹悄悄的打聽睡了，方放心散去。
次日醒來，就有人回：“那邊小蓉大爺帶了秦相公來拜。”寶玉忙接了出去，領了拜見賈母。賈母見秦鐘形容標緻，舉止溫柔，堪陪寶玉讀書，心中十分歡喜，便留茶留飯，又命人帶去見王夫人等。衆人因素愛秦氏，今見了秦鐘是這般人品，也都歡喜，臨去時都有表禮。賈母又與了一個荷包並一個金魁星，取"文星和合"之意。又囑咐他道：“你傢住的遠，或有一時寒熱饑飽不便，衹管住在這裏，不必限定了。衹和你寶叔在一處，別跟着那些不長進的東西們學。”秦鐘一一的答應，回去稟知。
他父親秦業現任營繕郎，年近七十，夫人早亡。因當年無兒女，便嚮養生堂抱了一個兒子並一個女兒。誰知兒子又死了，衹剩女兒，小名喚可兒，長大時，生的形容裊娜，性格風流。因素與賈傢有些瓜葛，故結了親，許與賈蓉為妻。那秦業至五旬之上方得了秦鐘。因去歲業師亡故，未暇延請高明之士，衹得暫時在傢溫習舊課。正思要和親傢去商議送往他傢塾中，暫且不致荒廢，可巧遇見了寶玉這個機會。又知賈傢塾中現今司塾的是賈代儒，乃當今之老儒，秦鐘此去，學業料必進益，成名可望，因此十分喜悅。衹是宦囊羞澀，那賈傢上上下下都是一雙富貴眼睛，容易拿不出來，為兒子的終身大事，說不得東拼西湊的恭恭敬敬封了二十四兩贄見禮，親自帶了秦鐘，來代儒傢拜見了。然後聽寶玉上學之日，好一同入塾。正是：
早知日後閑爭氣，豈肯今朝錯讀書。
By a strange coincidence, Chia Pao-yue becomes acquainted with the golden clasp. In an unexpected meeting, Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai sees the jade of spiritual perception.
Pao-yue and lady Feng, we will now explain, paid, on their return home, their respects to all the inmates, and Pao-yue availed himself of the first occasion to tell dowager lady Chia of his wish that Ch'in Chung should come over to the family school. "The presence for himself of a friend as schoolmate would," he argued, "be fitly excellent to stir him to zeal," and he went on to speak in terms of high praise of Ch'in Chung, his character and his manners, which most of all made people esteem him.
Lady Feng besides stood by him and backed his request. "In a day or two," she added, "Ch'in Chung will be coming to pay his obeisance to your venerable ladyship."
This bit of news greatly rejoiced the heart of dowager lady Chia, and lady Feng likewise did not let the opportunity slip, without inviting the old lady to attend the theatrical performance to come off the day after the morrow. Dowager lady Chia was, it is true, well on in years, but was, nevertheless, very fond of enjoyment, so that when the day arrived and Mrs. Yu came over to invite her round, she forthwith took madame Wang, Lin Tai-yue, Pao-yue and others along and went to the play.
It was about noon, when dowager lady Chia returned to her apartments for her siesta; and madame Wang, who was habitually partial to a quiet life, also took her departure after she had seen the old lady retire. Lady Feng subsequently took the seat of honour; and the party enjoyed themselves immensely till the evening, when they broke up.
But to return to Pao-yue. Having accompanied his grandmother Chia back home, and waited till her ladyship was in her midday sleep, he had in fact an inclination to return to the performance, but he was afraid lest he should be a burden to Mrs. Ch'in and the rest and lest they should not feel at ease. Remembering therefore that Pao Ch'ai had been at home unwell for the last few days, and that he had not been to see her, he was anxious to go and look her up, but he dreaded that if he went by the side gate, at the back of the drawing-room, he would be prevented by something or other, and fearing, what would be making matters worse, lest he should come across his father, he consequently thought it better to go on his way by a detour. The nurses and waiting-maids thereupon came to help him to change his clothes; but they saw him not change, but go out again by the second door. These nurses and maids could not help following him out; but they were still under the impression that he was going over to the other mansion to see the theatricals. Contrary to their speculations, upon reaching the entrance hall, he forthwith went to the east, then turned to the north, and walking round by the rear of the hall, he happened to come face to face with two of the family companions, Mr. Ch'an Kuang, and Mr. Tan T'ing-jen. As soon as they caught sight of Pao-yue, they both readily drew up to him, and as they smiled, the one put his arm round his waist, while the other grasped him by the hand.
"Oh divine brother!" they both exclaimed, "this we call dreaming a pleasant dream, for it's no easy thing to come across you!"
While continuing their remarks they paid their salutations, and inquired after his health; and it was only after they had chatted for ever so long, that they went on their way. The nurse called out to them and stopped them, "Have you two gentlemen," she said, "come out from seeing master?"
They both nodded assent. "Your master," they explained, "is in the Meng P'o Chai small library having his siesta; so that you can go through there with no fear."
As they uttered these words, they walked away.
This remark also evoked a smile from Pao-yue, but without further delay he turned a corner, went towards the north, and came into the Pear Fragrance Court, where, as luck would have it, he met the head manager of the Household Treasury, Wu Hsin-teng, who, in company with the head of the granary, Tai Liang, and several other head stewards, seven persons in all, was issuing out of the Account Room.
On seeing Pao-yue approaching, they, in a body, stood still, and hung down their arms against their sides. One of them alone, a certain butler, called Ch'ien Hua, promptly came forward, as he had not seen Pao-yue for many a day, and bending on one knee, paid his respects to Pao-yue. Pao-yue at once gave a smile and pulled him up.
"The day before yesterday," smiled all the bystanders, "we were somewhere together and saw some characters written by you, master Secundus, in the composite style. The writing is certainly better than it was before! When will you give us a few sheets to stick on the wall?"
"Where did you see them?" inquired Pao-yue, with a grin.
"They are to be found in more than one place," they replied, "and every one praises them very much, and what's more, asks us for a few."
"They are not worth having," observed Pao-yue smilingly; "but if you do want any, tell my young servants and it will be all right."
As he said these words, he moved onwards. The whole party waited till he had gone by, before they separated, each one to go his own way.
But we need not dilate upon matters of no moment, but return to Pao-yue.
On coming to the Pear Fragrance Court, he entered, first, into "aunt" Hsueeh's room, where he found her getting some needlework ready to give to the waiting-maids to work at. Pao-yue forthwith paid his respects to her, and "aunt" Hsueeh, taking him by the hand, drew him towards her and clasped him in her embrace.
"With this cold weather," she smilingly urged, "it's too kind of you, my dear child, to think of coming to see me; come along on the stove-couch at once!--Bring some tea," she continued, addressing the servants, "and make it as hot as it can be!"
"Isn't Hsueeh P'an at home?" Pao-yue having inquired: "He's like a horse without a halter," Mrs. Hsueeh remarked with a sigh; "he's daily running here and there and everywhere, and nothing can induce him to stay at home one single day."
"Is sister (Pao Ch'ai) all right again?" asked Pao-yue. "Yes," replied Mrs. Hsueeh, "she's well again. It was very kind of you two days ago to again think of her, and send round to inquire after her. She's now in there, and you can go and see her. It's warmer there than it's here; go and sit with her inside, and, as soon as I've put everything away, I'll come and join you and have a chat."
Pao-yue, upon hearing this, jumped down with alacrity from the stove-couch, and walked up to the door of the inner room, where he saw hanging a portiere somewhat the worse for use, made of red silk. Pao-yue raised the portiere and making one step towards the interior, he found Pao Ch'ai seated on the couch, busy over some needlework. On the top of her head was gathered, and made into a knot, her chevelure, black as lacquer, and glossy like pomade. She wore a honey-coloured wadded robe, a rose-brown short-sleeved jacket, lined with the fur of the squirrel of two colours: the "gold and silver;" and a jupe of leek-yellow silk. Her whole costume was neither too new, neither too old, and displayed no sign of extravagance.
Her lips, though not rouged, were naturally red; her eyebrows, though not pencilled, were yet blue black; her face resembled a silver basin, and her eyes, juicy plums. She was sparing in her words, chary in her talk, so much so that people said that she posed as a simpleton. She was quiet in the acquittal of her duties and scrupulous as to the proper season for everything. "I practise simplicity," she would say of herself.
"How are you? are you quite well again, sister?" inquired Pao-yue, as he gazed at her; whereupon Pao Ch'ai raised her head, and perceiving Pao-yue walk in, she got up at once and replied with a smile, "I'm all right again; many thanks for your kindness in thinking of me."
While uttering this, she pressed him to take a seat on the stove-couch, and as he sat down on the very edge of the couch, she told Ying Erh to bring tea and asked likewise after dowager lady Chia and lady Feng. "And are all the rest of the young ladies quite well?" she inquired.
Saying this she scrutinised Pao-yue, who she saw had a head-dress of purplish-gold twisted threads, studded with precious stones. His forehead was bound with a gold circlet, representing two dragons, clasping a pearl. On his person he wore a light yellow, archery-sleeved jacket, ornamented with rampant dragons, and lined with fur from the ribs of the silver fox; and was clasped with a dark sash, embroidered with different-coloured butterflies and birds. Round his neck was hung an amulet, consisting of a clasp of longevity, a talisman of recorded name, and, in addition to these, the precious jade which he had had in his mouth at the time of his birth.
"I've daily heard every one speak of this jade," said Pao Ch'ai with a smile, "but haven't, after all, had an opportunity of looking at it closely, but anyhow to-day I must see it."
As she spoke, she drew near. Pao-yue himself approached, and taking it from his neck, he placed it in Pao Ch'ai's hand. Pao Ch'ai held it in her palm. It appeared to her very much like the egg of a bird, resplendent as it was like a bright russet cloud; shiny and smooth like variegated curd and covered with a net for the sake of protection.
Readers, you should know that this was the very block of useless stone which had been on the Ta Huang Hills, and which had dropped into the Ch'ing Keng cave, in a state of metamorphosis. A later writer expresses his feelings in a satirical way as follows:
Nue Wo's fusion of stones was e'er a myth inane, But from this myth hath sprung fiction still more insane! Lost is the subtle life, divine, and real!--gone! Assumed, mean subterfuge! foul bags of skin and bone! Fortune, when once adverse, how true! gold glows no more! In evil days, alas! the jade's splendour is o'er! Bones, white and bleached, in nameless hill-like mounds are flung, Bones once of youths renowned and maidens fair and young.
The rejected stone has in fact already given a record of the circumstances of its transformation, and the inscription in seal characters, engraved upon it by the bald-headed bonze, and below will now be also appended a faithful representation of it; but its real size is so very diminutive, as to allow of its being held by a child in his mouth while yet unborn, that were it to have been drawn in its exact proportions, the characters would, it is feared, have been so insignificant in size, that the beholder would have had to waste much of his eyesight, and it would besides have been no pleasant thing.
While therefore its shape has been adhered to, its size has unavoidably been slightly enlarged, to admit of the reader being able, conveniently, to peruse the inscription, even by very lamplight, and though he may be under the influence of wine.
These explanations have been given to obviate any such sneering remarks as: "What could be, pray, the size of the mouth of a child in his mother's womb, and how could it grasp such a large and clumsy thing?"
On the face of the jade was written:
Precious Gem of Spiritual Perception. If thou wilt lose me not and never forget me, Eternal life and constant luck will be with thee!
On the reverse was written:
1 To exorcise evil spirits and the accessory visitations; 2 To cure predestined sickness; 3 To prognosticate weal and woe.
Pao Ch'ai having looked at the amulet, twisted it again to the face, and scrutinising it closely, read aloud:
If thou wilt lose me not and never forget me, Eternal life and constant luck will be with thee!
She perused these lines twice, and, turning round, she asked Ying Erh laughingly: "Why don't you go and pour the tea? what are you standing here like an idiot!"
"These two lines which I've heard," smiled Ying Erh, "would appear to pair with the two lines on your necklet, miss!"
"What!" eagerly observed Pao-yue with a grin, when he caught these words, "are there really eight characters too on your necklet, cousin? do let me too see it."
"Don't listen to what she says," remarked Pao Ch'ai, "there are no characters on it."
"My dear cousin," pleaded Pao-yue entreatingly, "how is it you've seen mine?"
Pao Ch'ai was brought quite at bay by this remark of his, and she consequently added, "There are also two propitious phrases engraved on this charm, and that's why I wear it every day. Otherwise, what pleasure would there be in carrying a clumsy thing."
As she spoke, she unfastened the button, and produced from inside her crimson robe, a crystal-like locket, set with pearls and gems, and with a brilliant golden fringe. Pao-yue promptly received it from her, and upon minute examination, found that there were in fact four characters on each side; the eight characters on both sides forming two sentences of good omen. The similitude of the locket is likewise then given below. On the face of the locket is written:
"Part not from me and cast me not away;"
And on the reverse:
"And youth, perennial freshness will display!"
Pao-yue examined the charm, and having also read the inscription twice over aloud, and then twice again to himself, he said as he smiled, "Dear cousin, these eight characters of yours form together with mine an antithetical verse."
"They were presented to her," ventured Ying Erh, "by a mangy-pated bonze, who explained that they should be engraved on a golden trinket...."
Pao Ch'ai left her no time to finish what she wished to say, but speedily called her to task for not going to bring the tea, and then inquired of Pao-yue "Where he had come from?"
Pao-yue had, by this time, drawn quite close to Pao Ch'ai, and perceived whiff after whiff of some perfume or other, of what kind he could not tell. "What perfume have you used, my cousin," he forthwith asked, "to fumigate your dresses with? I really don't remember smelling any perfumery of the kind before."
"I'm very averse," replied Pao Ch'ai blandly, "to the odour of fumigation; good clothes become impregnated with the smell of smoke."
"In that case," observed Pao-yue, "what scent is it?"
"Yes, I remember," Pao Ch'ai answered, after some reflection; "it's the scent of the 'cold fragrance' pills which I took this morning."
"What are these cold fragrance pills," remarked Pao-yue smiling, "that they have such a fine smell? Give me, cousin, a pill to try."
"Here you are with your nonsense again," Pao Ch'ai rejoined laughingly; "is a pill a thing to be taken recklessly?"
She had scarcely finished speaking, when she heard suddenly some one outside say, "Miss Lin is come;" and shortly Lin Tai-yue walked in in a jaunty manner.
"Oh, I come at a wrong moment!" she exclaimed forthwith, smirking significantly when she caught sight of Pao-yue.
Pao-yue and the rest lost no time in rising and offering her a seat, whereupon Pao Ch'ai added with a smile, "How can you say such things?"
"Had I known sooner," continued Tai-yue, "that he was here, I would have kept away."
"I can't fathom this meaning of yours," protested Pao Ch'ai.
"If one comes," Tai-yue urged smiling, "then all come, and when one doesn't come, then no one comes. Now were he to come to-day, and I to come to-morrow, wouldn't there be, by a division of this kind, always some one with you every day? and in this way, you wouldn't feel too lonely, nor too crowded. How is it, cousin, that you didn't understand what I meant to imply?"
"Is it snowing?" inquired Pao-yue, upon noticing that she wore a cloak made of crimson camlet, buttoning in front.
"It has been snowing for some time," ventured the matrons, who were standing below. "Fetch my wrapper!" Pao-yue remarked, and Tai-yue readily laughed. "Am I not right? I come, and, of course, he must go at once."
"Did I ever mention that I was going?" questioned Pao-yue; "I only wish it brought to have it ready when I want it."
"It's a snowy day," consequently remarked Pao-yue's nurse, dame Li, "and we must also look to the time, but you had better remain here and amuse yourself with your cousin. Your aunt has, in there, got ready tea and fruits. I'll tell the waiting-maid to go and fetch your wrapper and the boys to return home." Pao-yue assented, and nurse Li left the room and told the boys that they were at liberty to go.
By this time Mrs. Hsueeh had prepared tea and several kinds of nice things and kept them all to partake of those delicacies. Pao-yue, having spoken highly of some goose feet and ducks' tongues he had tasted some days before, at his eldest sister-in-law's, Mrs. Yu's, "aunt" Hsueeh promptly produced several dishes of the same kind, made by herself, and gave them to Pao-yue to try. "With a little wine," added Pao-yue with a smile, "they would be first rate."
Mrs. Hsueeh thereupon bade the servants fetch some wine of the best quality; but dame Li came forward and remonstrated. "My lady," she said, "never mind the wine."
Pao-yue smilingly pleaded: "My nurse, I'll take just one cup and no more."
"It's no use," nurse Li replied, "were your grandmother and mother present, I wouldn't care if you drank a whole jar. I remember the day when I turned my eyes away but for a moment, and some ignorant fool or other, merely with the view of pandering for your favour, gave you only a drop of wine to drink, and how this brought reproaches upon me for a couple of days. You don't know, my lady, you have no idea of his disposition! it's really dreadful; and when he has had a little wine he shows far more temper. On days when her venerable ladyship is in high spirits, she allows him to have his own way about drinking, but he's not allowed to have wine on any and every day; and why should I have to suffer inside and all for nothing at all?"
"You antiquated thing!" replied Mrs. Hsueeh laughing, "set your mind at ease, and go and drink your own wine! I won't let him have too much, and should even the old lady say anything, let the fault be mine."
Saying this, she asked a waiting-maid to take nurse Li along with her and give her also a glass of wine so as to keep out the cold air.
When nurse Li heard these words, she had no alternative but to go for a time with all the others and have some wine to drink.
"The wine need not be warmed: I prefer it cold!" Pao-yue went on to suggest meanwhile.
"That won't do," remonstrated Mrs. Hsueeh; "cold wine will make your hand tremble when you write."
"You have," interposed Pao Ch'ai smiling, "the good fortune, cousin Pao-yue, of having daily opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of every kind of subject, and yet don't you know that the properties of wine are mostly heating? If you drink wine warm, its effects soon dispel, but if you drink it cold, it at once congeals in you; and as upon your intestines devolves the warming of it, how can you not derive any harm? and won't you yet from this time change this habit of yours? leave off at once drinking that cold wine."
Pao-yue finding that the words he had heard contained a good deal of sense, speedily put down the cold wine, and having asked them to warm it, he at length drank it.
Tai-yue was bent upon cracking melon seeds, saying nothing but simply pursing up her lips and smiling, when, strange coincidence, Hsueeh Yen, Tai-yue's waiting-maid, walked in and handed her mistress a small hand-stove.
"Who told you to bring it?" ascertained Tai-yue grinningly. "I'm sorry to have given whoever it is the trouble; I'm obliged to her. But did she ever imagine that I would freeze to death?"
"Tzu Chuan was afraid," replied Hsueeh Yen, "that you would, miss, feel cold, and she asked me to bring it over."
Tai-yue took it over and held it in her lap. "How is it," she smiled, "that you listen to what she tells you, but that you treat what I say, day after day, as so much wind blowing past your ears! How is it that you at once do what she bids you, with even greater alacrity than you would an imperial edict?"
When Pao-yue heard this, he felt sure in his mind that Tai-yue was availing herself of this opportunity to make fun of him, but he made no remark, merely laughing to himself and paying no further notice. Pao Ch'ai, again, knew full well that this habit was a weak point with Tai-yue, so she too did not go out of her way to heed what she said.
"You've always been delicate and unable to stand the cold," interposed "aunt" Hsueeh, "and is it not a kind attention on their part to have thought of you?"
"You don't know, aunt, how it really stands," responded Tai-yue smilingly; "fortunately enough, it was sent to me here at your quarters; for had it been in any one else's house, wouldn't it have been a slight upon them? Is it forsooth nice to think that people haven't so much as a hand-stove, and that one has fussily to be sent over from home? People won't say that the waiting-maids are too officious, but will imagine that I'm in the habit of behaving in this offensive fashion."
"You're far too punctilious," remarked Mrs. Hsueeh, "as to entertain such notions! No such ideas as these crossed my mind just now."
While they were conversing, Pao-yue had taken so much as three cups of wine, and nurse Li came forward again to prevent him from having any more. Pao-yue was just then in a state of exultation and excitement, (a state) enhanced by the conversation and laughter of his cousins, so that was he ready to agree to having no more! But he was constrained in a humble spirit to entreat for permission. "My dear nurse," he implored, "I'll just take two more cups and then have no more."
"You'd better be careful," added nurse Li, "your father is at home to-day, and see that you're ready to be examined in your lessons."
When Pao-yue heard this mention, his spirits at once sank within him, and gently putting the wine aside, he dropped his head upon his breast.
Tai-yue promptly remonstrated. "You've thrown cold water," she said, "over the spirits of the whole company; why, if uncle should ask to see you, well, say that aunt Hsueeh detained you. This old nurse of yours has been drinking, and again makes us the means of clearing her muddled head!"
While saying this, she gave Pao-yue a big nudge with the intent of stirring up his spirits, adding, as she addressed him in a low tone of voice: "Don't let us heed that old thing, but mind our own enjoyment."
Dame Li also knew very well Tai-yue's disposition, and therefore remarked: "Now, Miss Lin, don't you urge him on; you should after all, give him good advice, as he may, I think, listen to a good deal of what you say to him."
"Why should I urge him on?" rejoined Lin Tai-yue, with a sarcastic smile, "nor will I trouble myself to give him advice. You, old lady, are far too scrupulous! Old lady Chia has also time after time given him wine, and if he now takes a cup or two more here, at his aunt's, lady Hsueeh's house, there's no harm that I can see. Is it perhaps, who knows, that aunt is a stranger in this establishment, and that we have in fact no right to come over here to see her?"
Nurse Li was both vexed and amused by the words she had just heard. "Really," she observed, "every remark this girl Lin utters is sharper than a razor! I didn't say anything much!"
Pao Ch'ai too could not suppress a smile, and as she pinched Tai-yue's cheek, she exclaimed, "Oh the tongue of this frowning girl! one can neither resent what it says, nor yet listen to it with any gratification!"
"Don't be afraid!" Mrs. Hsueeh went on to say, "don't be afraid; my son, you've come to see me, and although I've nothing good to give you, you mustn't, through fright, let the trifle you've taken lie heavy on your stomach, and thus make me uneasy; but just drink at your pleasure, and as much as you like, and let the blame fall on my shoulders. What's more, you can stay to dinner with me, and then go home; or if you do get tipsy, you can sleep with me, that's all."
She thereupon told the servants to heat some more wine. "I'll come," she continued, "and keep you company while you have two or three cups, after which we'll have something to eat!"
It was only after these assurances that Pao-yue's spirits began at length, once more to revive, and dame Li then directed the waiting-maids what to do. "You remain here," she enjoined, "and mind, be diligent while I go home and change; when I'll come back again. Don't allow him," she also whispered to "aunt" Hsueeh, "to have all his own way and drink too much."
Having said this, she betook herself back to her quarters; and during this while, though there were two or three nurses in attendance, they did not concern themselves with what was going on. As soon as they saw that nurse Li had left, they likewise all quietly slipped out, at the first opportunity they found, while there remained but two waiting-maids, who were only too glad to curry favour with Pao-yue. But fortunately "aunt" Hsueeh, by much coaxing and persuading, only let him have a few cups, and the wine being then promptly cleared away, pickled bamboo shoots and chicken-skin soup were prepared, of which Pao-yue drank with relish several bowls full, eating besides more than half a bowl of finest rice congee.
By this time, Hsueeh Pao Ch'ai and Lin Tai-yue had also finished their repast; and when Pao-yue had drunk a few cups of strong tea, Mrs. Hsueeh felt more easy in her mind. Hsueeh Yen and the others, three or four of them in all, had also had their meal, and came in to wait upon them.
"Are you now going or not?" inquired Tai-yue of Pao-yue.
Pao-yue looked askance with his drowsy eyes. "If you want to go," he observed, "I'll go with you."
Tai-yue hearing this, speedily rose. "We've been here nearly the whole day," she said, "and ought to be going back."
As she spoke the two of them bade good-bye, and the waiting-maids at once presented a hood to each of them.
Pao-yue readily lowered his head slightly and told a waiting-maid to put it on. The girl promptly took the hood, made of deep red cloth, and shaking it out of its folds, she put it on Pao-yue's head.
"That will do," hastily exclaimed Pao-yue. "You stupid thing! gently a bit; is it likely you've never seen any one put one on before? let me do it myself."
"Come over here, and I'll put it on for you," suggested Tai-yue, as she stood on the edge of the couch. Pao-yue eagerly approached her, and Tai-yue carefully kept the cap, to which his hair was bound, fast down, and taking the hood she rested its edge on the circlet round his forehead. She then raised the ball of crimson velvet, which was as large as a walnut, and put it in such a way that, as it waved tremulously, it should appear outside the hood. These arrangements completed she cast a look for a while at what she had done. "That's right now," she added, "throw your wrapper over you!"
When Pao-yue caught these words, he eventually took the wrapper and threw it over his shoulders.
"None of your nurses," hurriedly interposed aunt Hsueeh, "are yet come, so you had better wait a while."
"Why should we wait for them?" observed Pao-yue. "We have the waiting-maids to escort us, and surely they should be enough."
Mrs. Hsueeh finding it difficult to set her mind at ease deputed two married women to accompany the two cousins; and after they had both expressed (to these women) their regret at having troubled them, they came straightway to dowager lady Chia's suite of apartments.
Her venerable ladyship had not, as yet, had her evening repast. Hearing that they had been at Mrs. Hsueeh's, she was extremely pleased; but noticing that Pao-yue had had some wine, she gave orders that he should be taken to his room, and put to bed, and not be allowed to come out again.
"Do take good care of him," she therefore enjoined the servants, and when suddenly she bethought herself of Pao-yue's attendants, "How is it," she at once inquired of them all, "that I don't see nurse Li here?"
They did not venture to tell her the truth, that she had gone home, but simply explained that she had come in a few moments back, and that they thought she must have again gone out on some business or other.
"She's better off than your venerable ladyship," remarked Pao-yue, turning round and swaying from side to side. "Why then ask after her? Were I rid of her, I believe I might live a little longer."
While uttering these words, he reached the door of his bedroom, where he saw pen and ink laid out on the writing table.
"That's nice," exclaimed Ch'ing Wen, as she came to meet him with a smile on her face, "you tell me to prepare the ink for you, but though when you get up, you were full of the idea of writing, you only wrote three characters, when you discarded the pencil, and ran away, fooling me, by making me wait the whole day! Come now at once and exhaust all this ink before you're let off."
Pao-yue then remembered what had taken place in the morning. "Where are the three characters I wrote?" he consequently inquired, smiling.
"Why this man is tipsy," remarked Ch'ing Wen sneeringly. "As you were going to the other mansion, you told me to stick them over the door. I was afraid lest any one else should spoil them, as they were being pasted, so I climbed up a high ladder and was ever so long in putting them up myself; my hands are even now numb with cold."
"Oh I forgot all about it," replied Pao-yue grinning, "if your hands are cold, come and I'll rub them warm for you."
Promptly stretching out his hand, he took those of Ch'ing Wen in his, and the two of them looked at the three characters, which he recently had written, and which were pasted above the door. In a short while, Tai-yue came.
"My dear cousin," Pao-yue said to her smilingly, "tell me without any prevarication which of the three characters is the best written?"
Tai-yue raised her head and perceived the three characters: Red, Rue, Hall. "They're all well done," she rejoined, with a smirk, "How is it you've written them so well? By and bye you must also write a tablet for me."
"Are you again making fun of me?" asked Pao-yue smiling; "what about sister Hsi Jen?" he went on to inquire.
Ch'ing Wen pouted her lips, pointing towards the stove-couch in the inner room, and, on looking in, Pao-yue espied Hsi Jen fast asleep in her daily costume.
"Well," Pao-yue observed laughing, "there's no harm in it, but its rather early to sleep. When I was having my early meal, on the other side," he proceeded, speaking to Ch'ing Wen, "there was a small dish of dumplings, with bean-curd outside; and as I thought you would like to have some, I asked Mrs. Yu for them, telling her that I would keep them, and eat them in the evening; I told some one to bring them over, but have you perchance seen them?"
"Be quick and drop that subject," suggested Ch'ing Wen; "as soon as they were brought over, I at once knew they were intended for me; as I had just finished my meal, I put them by in there, but when nurse Li came she saw them. 'Pao-yue,' she said, 'is not likely to eat them, so I'll take them and give them to my grandson.' And forthwith she bade some one take them over to her home."
While she was speaking, Hsi Hsueeh brought in tea, and Pao-yue pressed his cousin Lin to have a cup.
"Miss Lin has gone long ago," observed all of them, as they burst out laughing, "and do you offer her tea?"
Pao-yue drank about half a cup, when he also suddenly bethought himself of some tea, which had been brewed in the morning. "This morning," he therefore inquired of Hsi Hsueeh, "when you made a cup of maple-dew tea, I told you that that kind of tea requires brewing three or four times before its colour appears; and how is that you now again bring me this tea?"
"I did really put it by," answered Hsi Hsueeh, "but nurse Li came and drank it, and then went off."
Pao-yue upon hearing this, dashed the cup he held in his hand on the ground, and as it broke into small fragments, with a crash, it spattered Hsi Hsueeh's petticoat all over.
"Of whose family is she the mistress?" inquired Pao-yue of Hsi Hsueeh, as he jumped up, "that you all pay such deference to her. I just simply had a little of her milk, when I was a brat, and that's all; and now she has got into the way of thinking herself more high and mighty than even the heads of the family! She should be packed off, and then we shall all have peace and quiet."
Saying this, he was bent upon going, there and then, to tell dowager lady Chia to have his nurse driven away.
Hsi Jen was really not asleep, but simply feigning, with the idea, when Pao-yue came, to startle him in play. At first, when she heard him speak of writing, and inquire after the dumplings, she did not think it necessary to get up, but when he flung the tea-cup on the floor, and got into a temper, she promptly jumped up and tried to appease him, and to prevent him by coaxing from carrying out his threat.
A waiting-maid sent by dowager lady Chia came in, meanwhile, to ask what was the matter.
"I had just gone to pour tea," replied Hsi Jen, without the least hesitation, "and I slipped on the snow and fell, while the cup dropped from my hand and broke. Your decision to send her away is good," she went on to advise Pao-yue, "and we are all willing to go also; and why not avail yourself of this opportunity to dismiss us in a body? It will be for our good, and you too on the other hand, needn't perplex yourself about not getting better people to come and wait on you!"
When Pao-yue heard this taunt, he had at length not a word to say, and supported by Hsi Jen and the other attendants on to the couch, they divested him of his clothes. But they failed to understand the drift of what Pao-yue kept on still muttering, and all they could make out was an endless string of words; but his eyes grew heavier and drowsier, and they forthwith waited upon him until he went to sleep; when Hsi Jen unclasped the jade of spiritual perception, and rolling it up in a handkerchief, she lay it under the mattress, with the idea that when he put it on the next day it should not chill his neck.
Pao-yue fell sound asleep the moment he lay his head on the pillow. By this time nurse Li and the others had come in, but when they heard that Pao-yue was tipsy, they too did not venture to approach, but gently made inquiries as to whether he was asleep or not. On hearing that he was, they took their departure with their minds more at ease.
The next morning the moment Pao-yue awoke, some one came in to tell him that young Mr. Jung, living in the mansion on the other side, had brought Ch'in Chung to pay him a visit.
Pao-yue speedily went out to greet them and to take them over to pay their respects to dowager lady Chia. Her venerable ladyship upon perceiving that Ch'in Chung, with his handsome countenance, and his refined manners, would be a fit companion for Pao-yue in his studies, felt extremely delighted at heart; and having readily detained him to tea, and kept him to dinner, she went further and directed a servant to escort him to see madame Wang and the rest of the family.
With the fond regard of the whole household for Mrs. Ch'in, they were, when they saw what a kind of person Ch'in Chung was, so enchanted with him, that at the time of his departure, they all had presents to give him; even dowager lady Chia herself presented him with a purse and a golden image of the God of Learning, with a view that it should incite him to study and harmony.
"Your house," she further advised him, "is far off, and when it's cold or hot, it would be inconvenient for you to come all that way, so you had better come and live over here with me. You'll then be always with your cousin Pao-yue, and you won't be together, in your studies, with those fellow-pupils of yours who have no idea what progress means."
Ch'in Chung made a suitable answer to each one of her remarks, and on his return home he told everything to his father.
His father, Ch'in Pang-yeh, held at present the post of Secretary in the Peking Field Force, and was well-nigh seventy. His wife had died at an early period, and as she left no issue, he adopted a son and a daughter from a foundling asylum.
But who would have thought it, the boy also died, and there only remained the girl, known as Ko Ch'ing in her infancy, who when she grew up, was beautiful in face and graceful in manners, and who by reason of some relationship with the Chia family, was consequently united by the ties of marriage (to one of the household).
Ch'in Pang-yeh was in his fiftieth year when he at length got this son. As his tutor had the previous year left to go south, he remained at home keeping up his former lessons; and (his father) had been just thinking of talking over the matter with his relatives of the Chia family, and sending his son to the private school, when, as luck would have it, this opportunity of meeting Pao-yue presented itself.
Knowing besides that the family school was under the direction of the venerable scholar Chia Tai-ju, and hoping that by joining his class, (his son) might advance in knowledge and by these means reap reputation, he was therefore intensely gratified. The only drawbacks were that his official emoluments were scanty, and that both the eyes of everyone in the other establishment were set upon riches and honours, so that he could not contribute anything short of the amount (given by others); but his son's welfare throughout life was a serious consideration, and he, needless to say, had to scrape together from the East and to collect from the West; and making a parcel, with all deference, of twenty-four taels for an introduction present, he came along with Ch'in Chung to Tai-ju's house to pay their respects. But he had to wait subsequently until Pao-yue could fix on an auspicious date on which they could together enter the school.
As for what happened after they came to school, the next chapter will divulge.
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