A Dream of Red Mansion

by Cao Xueqin

  “You needn’t summon her, aunty,” she said with a smile. “The old lady came partly to see how you are and partly because there’s some important business which she’d like to discuss with you in our place.”

  Aunt Xue nodded and agreed to this, and after a little more idle talk they left.

  That evening Aunt Xue came over. Having paid her respects to the old lady she called on Lady Wang, and speaking of Wang Ziteng’s death they all shed tears.

  “Just now in the old lady’s place, Baoyu came out to pay his respects,” remarked Aunt Xue. “He looked all right, simply a little thinner. Why do you speak as if it were so serious?”

  “Actually it’s nothing much,” replied Xifeng. “But the old lady is worried. Now the master is going to a provincial post and may not be back for some years. Her idea is to have Baoyu’s wedding while he’s still here. Firstly, to set his father’s mind at rest; and secondly, in the hope that Cousin Baochai’s golden locket will bring Baoyu good luck, overcoming the evil influence so that he recovers.”

  Aunt Xue wanted the match but feared Baochai might feel herself wronged. “That’s all right,” she replied, “but we must think it out more carefully.”

  Lady Wang told her Xifeng’s plan, adding, “As your son is away from home now, you need not give any dowry. Tomorrow send Ke to tell Pan that while we have the wedding here we’ll find some way to settle his lawsuit for him.” Omitting to mention that Baoyu had lost his heart to Daiyu, she concluded, “Since you agree to it, the sooner the bride comes the better the sooner we’ll all feel easier in our minds.”

  At this point Yuanyang arrived, sent by the old lady to hear what they had decided. Though this was treating Baochai shabbily, Aunt Xue could hardly refuse as they were so pressing. She consented with a show of readiness. Yuanyang went back to report this to the old lady, who in elation sent her back to urge Aunt Xue to explain the situation to Baochai so that she would not feel unfairly treated. Aunt Xue agreed to this. Having decided that Xifeng and her husband should act as go-betweens, the others left. Then Lady Wang and her sister sat up half the night talking.

  The next day Aunt Xue went home and told Baochai in detail all these arrangements to which she had agreed. Baochai lowered her head in silence, and presently shed tears. Her mother did her best to comfort her, explaining the matter at length; and when Baochai went back to her room. Baoqin went with her to try to cheer her up. Aunt Xue also told Xue Ke, urging him to leave the following day to find out what sentence had been passed and to give Xue Pan this news, then to come back immediately.

  Four days later Xue Ke returned.

  “Regarding Cousin Pan’s business,” he reported, “the judge has approved a verdict of accidental manslaughter, which will be pronounced at the next session; and we must have silver ready by way of compensation. As for his sister’s wedding, Pan says your decision was a good one, and rushing it through will save a good deal of money. He says you shouldn’t wait for his return but do as you think fit.”

  This news reassured Aunt Xue that her son would be released and her daughter’s wedding could be carried through, although she could see that Baochai looked rather unwilling. “Still,” she thought, “she’s a girl who’s always been submissive and a model of propriety. Knowing that I’ve agreed, she won’t raise any objections.”

  She told Xue Ke, “Get a gilded card and write her horoscope on it, then have it sent at once to Second Master Lian and ask the date for the exchange of gifts, so that you can make preparations. We don’t mean to notify relatives and friends because, as you’ve said, all Pan’s friends are a bad lot and our only relatives are the Jia and Wang families. Now the Jias are the bridegroom’s family and the Wangs have no one in the capital. When Miss Shi was engaged her family didn’t invite us, so we needn’t put them out either. But we must ask Zhang Dehui here to help see to things as he’s elderly and experienced.”

  Xue Ke, acting on her instructions, had a card sent to the Jia family. And the next day Jia Lian called to pay his respects to Aunt Xue.

  “Tomorrow is a very auspicious day,” he said. “So I’ve come to propose that we exchange gifts tomorrow. We only hope you won’t think us too niggardly, aunt. He handed her the card on which was written the date of the wedding, and when she had made a polite rejoinder and nodded her consent he hurried back to report this to Jia Zheng.

  “Let the old lady know,” said Jia Zheng. “Suggest that as we’re not notifying friends and relatives, we may as well keep everything rather simple. Regarding the gifts, just ask her to approve them; no need to refer to me.”

  Jia Lian assented and went off on this errand. Lady Wang told Xifeng to take all the gifts to the old lady for her inspection, and to get Xiren to let Baoyu know as well.

  “Why go to all this bother?” Baoyu chuckled. “We send things to the Garden, then they send them back here again—our own people doing the sending and the accepting!”

  Their Ladyships hearing this remarked cheerfully, “We say he’s weak in the head, but today he’s talking sense.”

  Yuanyang and the other maids could not suppress smiles either as they showed the gifts one by one to the old lady.

  “This is a gold necklet,” they said. “Here are gold and pearl trinkets, eighty of them in all. There are forty rolls of serpent-patterned brocade, a hundred and twenty rolls of coloured silk and satin and a hundred and twenty garments for all four seasons. As no sheep and wine have been prepared, here is the equivalent in silver.”

  When the old lady had approved these gifts she quietly instructed Xifeng, “Go and tell Aunt Xue not to stand on ceremony. Ask her to wait till Pan is released to return gifts for his sister in his own good time. We here will prepare the bedding for the happy occasion.”

  Xifeng assented and left to send Jia Lian to Aunt Xue’s place. She then instructed Zhou Rui and Lai Wang, “Don’t take the presents through the main gate hut by that old side-gate in the Garden. I’ll be coming over

  myself presently. That gate is a good distance from Bamboo Lodge. If people from other households notice you, warn them not to mention this to anyone there.”

  The stewards went off to carry out these orders.

  In the happy belief that he was to marry Daiyu, Baoyu’s health improved, though he still talked foolishly. The stewards sending the presents named no names when they came back; and though most of the household knew where they had been, in view of Xifeng’s instructions they dared not disclose it.

  Now Daiyu, although taking medicine, was sinking steadily. Zijuan and her other maids pleaded hard with her.

  “Things have come to such a pass, miss, we must speak out,” they said. “We know what’s in your heart. But nothing unforeseen can possibly happen. If you don’t believe us, just think of Baoyu’s health —he’s so ill, how could he get married? Don’t listen to silly rumours, miss, but rest quietly till you’re better.”

  Daiyu smiled faintly without a word, then started coughing again and brought up more and more blood. Her maids saw that she was dying, and nothing they could say would save her. They remained at her bedside weeping, though sending three or four times a day to report to the old lady. But as Yuanyang had noticed that recently Daiyu had lost favour in her grandmother’s eyes, she often neglected to pass on their messages. And as the Old lady was occupied with preparations for the approaching wedding, when she had no news of Daiyu she asked no questions. All her maids could do was send for the doctor to see her.

  During Daiyu’s previous illnesses, everyone from the old lady herself down to the maids of her cousins had come to ask after her health. But now not one relative or servant came, not even sending inquiries, and when she opened her eyes there was nobody but Zijuan in the room. She knew there was not the least reason for her to live on.

  “Sister, you’re the one closest to me,” she murmured with an effort. “Ever since you were assigned to me by the old lady, I’ve always looked on you as my own sister....” Here she had to stop for breath.

/>   Zijuan’s heart ached. She was sobbing too much to speak.

  “Sister Zijuan!” panted Daiyu after a while. “I feel uncomfortable lying down. Please help me to sit up.”

  “But you’re not well, miss. If you sit up you may catch cold.”

  Daiyu closed her eyes without a word but presently struggled to sit up and Zijuan and Xueyan had to help her, propping her up with soft pillows on either side while Zijuan sat by her supporting her. Though she was so weak that she felt the bed beneath her painfully hard, she stack it out.

  “My poems....” she gasped to Xueyan.

  Xueyan guessed that she wanted her manuscript book which she had been going through a few days ago. She found it and gave it to her. Daiyu nodded, then glanced up at the case on a shelf; but this time the maid could not read her thoughts. Daiyu’s eyes dilated with exasperation till a fresh fit of coughing made her bring up more blood. Xueyan hastily fetched her water to rinse out her mouth over the spittoon, then Zijuan wiped her lips with a handkerchief. Taking it, Daiyu pointed at the case, gasping for breath again so that she could not speak. Her eyes had closed.

  “Better lie down, miss,” urged Zijuan.

  When Daiyu shook her head, Zijuan realized that she must want a handkerchief and told Xueyan to fetch a white silk one from the case. But at sight of it, Daiyu put it aside.

  “The one with writing...,” she managed to whisper.

  Then it dawned on Zijuan that she wanted Baoyu’s old handkerchief on which she had written verses. She made Xueyan get it out and passed it to her.

  “For pity’s sake, rest, miss!” she begged her. “Why tire yourself out? You can look at it when you’re better.”

  But not even glancing at the poems, Daiyu tried with all her might to tear up the handkerchief. However, her trembling fingers lacked the strength. Although Zijuan knew how incensed she was by Baoyu, she dared not disclose this.

  “Don’t wear yourself out again, miss, being angry!” she pleaded.

  Daiyu nodded weakly and stuffed the handkerchief up her sleeve. “Light the lamp,” she ordered.

  Xueyan hastily complied. After glancing at the lamp Daiyu closed her eyes again and sat there breathing hard.

  “Bring the brazier,” she murmured presently. Thinking she was cold Zijuan urged, “You’d better lie down, miss and put on more bedding. Charcoal fumes might be bad for you.”

  As Daiyu shook her head, Xueyan had to light the brazier and put it on its stand on the floor. At a sign that Daiyu wanted it on the kang, she moved it there, then went out to fetch a low table.

  Daiyu bent forward, supported by Zijuan’s two hands. She pulled out the handkerchief, looked at the fire and nodded, then dropped the handkerchief on it. This shocked Zijuan, who wanted to snatch it off but could not let go of her mistress, as Xueyan was still outside fetching the low table. By now the handkerchief was burning.

  “Miss!” protested Zijuan. “Why do such a thing?”

  Turning a deaf ear, Daiyu picked up her manuscript book and after glancing at it put it down. For fear she might burn this too, Zijuan hastily leaned against her to support her, thereby freeing one of her own hands. But Daiyu forestalled her by dropping the book on the fire out of her reach.

  Xueyan coming in with the table saw Daiyu toss something on the fire and made a grab for it; but the inflammable paper was already smouldering. Not caring whether she burned her hands or not, Xueyan snatched the book from the fire, threw it on the ground and trampled it with her feet. Too late—there was nothing but a charred remnant left.

  Daiyu closed her eyes and sank back, nearly knocking over Zijuan Who, her heart palpitating, hastily asked Xueyan to help lay her down. It was too late to fetch help; yet what if they called no-one and their young mistress should die during the night with only herself, Xueyan, Yingge and a few young maids in attendance? They sat up apprehensively till dawn, when Daiyu seemed a little better. But after breakfast she had a sudden relapse, coughing and retching again.

  Fearing the worst, Zijuan left Xueyan and the others in charge while she hurried to report this to the old lady. However, she found the place quiet and deserted, except for a few old nurses and some young maids of all work left there to mind the house. Asked where the old lady was, they returned evasive answers. In surprise, Zijuan went into Baoyu’s room and found it empty too. The young maids there also denied any knowledge of his whereabouts.

  By then Zijuan had a good inkling of the truth. “How cruel these people are!” she thought to herself, remembering that not a soul had called on Daiyu during the last few days. The more she dwelt on it, the more bitter she felt. In her indignation she turned and left abruptly.

  “I’d like to see how Baoyu looks today,” she fumed. “Wouldn’t the sight of me shame him? That year when I told him a fib he fell ill, he was so frantic; but today he blatantly does a thing like this. It shows that all men’s hearts are as cold as ice—they really make you gnash your teeth!”

  As she walked on brooding over this, she soon reached Happy Red Court. The gate was closed and all inside was quiet. It occurred to her then, “If he is getting married, he must have new bridal chambers. I wonder where they are?”

  She was looking around when Moyu came flying along and she called to him to stop. The page walked over, grinning broadly.

  “What brings you here, sister?” he asked.

  “I heard Master Bao’s getting married so I came to watch the fun, but apparently the wedding’s not here. When exactly is it to be?”

  “I’ll tell you in strict confidence, sister,” he whispered. “But don’t let Xueyan know. Our orders are not even to let you know. The wedding will take place this evening. Of course it won’t be here. His Lordship made Second Master Lian fix up new quarters for them. Well, is there anything you want me to do?”

  “No, nothing. Off you go.”

  Moyu darted off.

  Zijuan remained lost in thought until she remembered Daiyu—was she still alive?

  “Baoyu!” she swore through clenched teeth, her eyes swimming with tears. “If she dies tomorrow, you’ll get out of seeing her. But after you’ve had your pleasure, how are you going to brazen it out with me?”

  She walked on in tears towards Bamboo Lodge and saw two young maids at the gate looking out for her.

  At sight of her one cried, “Here comes Sister Zijuan!”

  With a sinking heart she signalled to them to keep quiet: Hurrying to Daiyu’s bedside, she found her feverish, her cheeks hectically flushed. Knowing that this was a bad sign, Zijuan called for Daiyu’s old nurse Nanny Wang, who took one look then started sobbing and wailing.

  Zijuan had hoped that old Nanny Wang with her experience would lend her courage; but the nurse’s reaction threw her into a tizzy till she bethought herself of someone else and sent a young maid quickly in search of her. Do you know who this was? Li Wan. As a widow, it was out of the question for her to attend Baoyu’s wedding; besides, she was the one in charge in the Garden. So Zijuan sent to ask her over.

  Li Wan was correcting a poem for Lan when a young maid burst in.

  “Madam!” she cried. “It looks as if Miss Lin’s done for! They’re all weeping and wailing there.”

  Li Wan was horrified. Not stopping to ask any questions she sprang up and hurried out, followed by Suyun and Biyue. And on the way she reflected tearfully, “We’ve been as close as sisters here. Her looks and talents are truly so outstanding, one can only compare her to some goddess in heaven. But poor girl, fated to die so young and be buried far from home! I didn’t like to visit her all because of Xifeng’s underhand plan to fob off a different bride on Baoyu—so I’ve let my cousin down. How tragic this is!”

  Now, reaching the gate of Bamboo Lodge, she was unnerved not to hear a sound inside. “Perhaps she’s already dead and they’ve finished lamenting her,” she thought as she hurried inside. “I wonder if they had

  clothes, bedding and shroud ready.”

  A young maid by the door of the inne
r room at sight of her announced, “Here’s Madam Zhu!”

  Zijuan hastily came out as Li Wan walked in. “How is she?” she asked urgently.

  Zijuan choked with sobs and could not get a word out. Her tears falling like pearls from a broken string, she could only point at Daiyu. The maid’s grief distressed Li Wan even more. Asking no further questions she went over to look at the dying girl, already past speaking. She called her softly twice. Daiyu opened her eyes slowly and seemed to recognize her. She was still breathing faintly, but though her eyelids fluttered and her lips quivered, she could not utter a single word or shed a single tear.

  Turning away, Li Wan saw that Zijuan had vanished and asked Xueyan where she was.

  “In the outer room,” was the answer.

  Li Wan hurried out and found her lying on the divan there, her face pale, tears flowing so fast from her closed eyes that a big patch of the silk-bordered flowered mattress was wet with tears and mucus. At Li Wan’s call she opened her eyes slowly and got up.

  “Silly creature!” scolded Li Wan. “This is no time for weeping. Hurry up and get Miss Lin’s clothes ready. How long will you wait to change her? Are you going to expose an unmarried girl to set out naked to the Other world?”

  At this, Zijuan broke down and sobbed bitterly. Li Wan though weeping too was impatient as well. Wiping her own eyes, she patted the maid on the shoulder.

  “Good child, your crying is driving me distracted! Prepare her things quickly before it’s too late,” she urged.

  She was startled just then by someone rushing in. It was Pinger. Bursting in on this scene she stood rooted to the spot, speechless.

  “Why aren’t you over there now? What brings you here?” asked Li Wan as Lin Zhixiao’s wife also joined them.

  Pinger said, “Our mistress was worried and sent me to have a look. But as you’re here, madam, I shall tell her that she need only attend to

  affairs over there.”