by Cao Xueqin
Baochai was most dismayed. For not only had Baoyu’s words struck her as ill-omened, so had everything said by Lady Wang and Li Wan. Still, trying not to take it seriously she just held back her tears and kept silent. And now Baoyu walked over to make her a deep bow. All present, though mystified by his strange behaviour, did not like to laugh. They were even more amazed when Baochai wept.
Baoyu told her, “I’m going now, cousin. Take good care of the mistress and wait for my good news!”
“It’s time you were off. There’s no need to maunder like this,” she answered.
“So you’re hurrying me? I know it’s time to be off.” He turned to look round and noticed two people missing. “Send word for me to Xichun and Zijuan,” he added. “Well, all I want to say is I shall be seeing them again.”
As he sounded half rational, half crazy, the others attributed this to the fact that he had never left home before and was affected by what his mother had said. They thought it best to speed him on his way. “People are waiting outside,” they reminded him. “If you delay any longer you’ll be late.”
Baoyu threw back his head and laughed. “I’m going now! No more ado! This is the end!”
The others answered cheerfully. “Go quickly.”
Only Lady Wang and Baochai behaved as if this were a separation for life. Their tears coursed down and they nearly burst out sobbing as Baoyu, laughing like a maniac, went out. Truly:
Taking the only approach to fame and wealth,
He breaks through the first door of his cage.
Let us leave Baoyu and Jia Lan for the time being. When Jia Huan saw them set off to take the examination he was furious. Regarding himself as the master now, he decided, “Here’s my chance to avenge my mother. All the other men of the family have gone, and as the Elder Mistress listens to me whom else do I have to fear?” His mind made up, he called on Lady Xing, flattering her to get into her good graces.
Very gratified she said, “Now you’re talking like a sensible boy! Qiaojie’s marriage is something I should decide; but your cousin Lian is a fool and instead of leaving it to me, the child’s own grandmother, he’s entrusted it to other people!”
“That family says this branch of our house is the only one they recognize,” Jia Huan told her. “Now that it’s settled, they’ll be sending you rich presents, madam; and once your grand-daughter’s married to a prince, the Elder Master will get a high post for sure. It’s not my place to speak ill of our mistress, but after one of her daughters was made an Imperial Consort she became too overbearing! I hope that in future Qiaojie won’t be so heartless. I must make her promise that.”
“Yes, you should talk to her to let her know whom she has to thank for this. Why, even if her father were at home, he wouldn’t be able to find her a better husband. It’s only that silly Pinger who thinks this match no good and says your mistress is against it too. I suppose she begrudges us this satisfaction. If we put this off till your cousin Lian comes back, he may listen to them and it may fall through.”
“The other side has agreed. They’re just waiting for you to send her horoscope, madam. According to the rules of the prince’s house they’ll fetch her three days after receiving it. There’s one thing, though, which may not please you: They say since it’s forbidden to marry the granddaughter of a cashiered official, they can only carry her over quietly and the celebration will have to wait till after our Elder Master is pardoned and back in office.”
“Why should I object to that? It’s only correct.”
“In that case you can send the horoscope, madam.”
“Don’t be a fool! We’ve only women at home. You must tell Qiang to write it.”
Jia Huan assented with gleeful alacrity and hurried off to give Jia Yun this message, after which they urged Wang Ren to go to the prince’s residence to draw up the contract and bring back the money.
However, one of Lady Xing’s maids—one recommended by Pinger—had overheard them and now slipped away to repeat the whole of their conversation to her. Pinger had known that they were up to no good and had explained this to Qiaojie, with the result that the girl wept all night, insisting that they must wait for her father’s return instead of accepting Lady Xing’s decision. This fresh news made her cry more bitterly, and she wanted to appeal to Lady Wang.
Pinger hastily stopped her saying, “Steady on, miss! The Elder Mistress is your grandmother, so in your father’s absence she’s the one who has the say. Besides, your uncle is acting as guarantor, and they’re in cahoots, so how can you override them? I’m only a servant, what I say doesn’t count. We must think of some way out but on no account act rashly!”
“You’d better be quick about it,” said Lady Xing’s maid. “Otherwise a sedan-chair will be coming to fetch her!” With that she left.
When Pinger had seen her off, she found Qiaojie prostrated with grief. Helping her up she said, “It’s no use crying, miss. We’re not in touch with your father, and judging by what they said....”
Before she could finish, a maid arrived from Lady Xing to announce, “The young lady’s marriage is fixed! Pinger is to get together all the things she’ll be needing. Her dowry can wait till Master Lian comes back.”
Pinger had to agree. On her return to the room she found that Lady Wang had called and Qiaojie was weeping in her arms.
“Don’t worry, child,” said Lady Wang tearfully, “Your grandmother gave me a good ticking-off because I spoke up for you; so I can’t see myself talking her round. We shall have to agree but put it off while we send a servant posthaste to tell your father.”
“You haven’t heard the latest, madam,” said Pinger. “This morning Master Huan told Lady Xing it’s the rule of the prince’s house to fetch the girl there within three days of receiving her horoscope. She’s already asked Master Yun to write it out; so how can we wait for Master Lian?”
The news that Jia Huan was behind this made Lady Wang speechless with rage. When she found her tongue again she gave furious orders to have him fetched; but after a long search her maids reported that he had gone out that morning with Jia Qiang and Wang Ren.
“Where is Jia Yun?” she demanded.
“He’s nowhere to be found either.”
They stared at each other in dismay, at a loss. As Lady Wang could hardly take issue with Lady Xing, all they could do was weep.
A serving-woman came in at this point to announce, “The servants at the back gate say that Granny Liu’s here again.”
“In a family crisis like this we’ve no time to entertain visitors,” said Lady Wang. “Put her off with some excuse.”
But Pinger demurred, “Better invite her in, madam. As Qiaojie’s godmother she should be told about this.”
As Lady Wang raised no objection, the serving-woman brought in Granny Liu and greetings were exchanged. Puzzled to find them all with red eyes, Granny Liu presently asked, “What’s wrong? You must have been grieving for Madam Lian again.”
This mention of her mother made Qiaojie weep even more bitterly.
Pinger said, “Let’s not beat about the bush. Since you’re her godmother you ought to know this.” She drew her aside to explain the situation.
Granny Liu was flabbergasted too. After a while, however, she laughed and said, “A clever young lady like you must surely have listened to drum-ballads? They describe plenty of ways and means. It’s not hard to find a way out.”
“What way out have you, granny?” asked Pinger eagerly. “Do tell us quickly.”
“It’s very simple. Don’t say a word to a soul; just up and leave, and that’s that.”
“That’s easier said than done. A young lady from a house like ours, where’s she to go?”
“If you want to spirit her away and don’t mind her coming to my village, I’ll hide the young lady. I’ll get my son-in-law to find a messenger, and she can write a letter in her own hand for him to take to her father, so that he comes back at once. How about that?”
“What if the
Elder Mistress finds out?”
“Do they know that I’m here?”
“As her quarters are in the back and she’s such a tartar, nobody passes on any news to her. If you’d come by the front gate she’d have known about it, but not now that you’ve come in by the back.”
“Then let’s fix a time, and I’ll get my son-in-law to come with a carriage to fetch her.”
“That would take too long,” said Pinger. “Just wait here a moment.” She hurried in and took Lady Wang aside to pass on Granny Liu’s proposal.
Lady Wang after thinking it over decided it would not do.
“It’s the only way!” pleaded Pinger. “I wouldn’t dare propose this to anyone else. You can pretend to be in the dark, madam, and later ask the Elder Mistress where Qiaojie has gone. We’ll send to get Master Lian to hurry back.”
Lady Wang said nothing but sighed.
Qiaojie who had overheard them begged, “Please come to my rescue, madam! When my father comes home he’s bound to be grateful to you!”
“That’s settled then,” said Pinger. “You’d better go back, madam. We’ll just ask you to send someone to look after our house.”
“Keep it hushed up!” urged Lady Wang. “And mind you both take clothes and bedding with you.”
“We can only pull it off if we leave at once,” replied Pinger. “If they come back with everything fixed, then we’re sunk!”
“All right. Go and get ready quickly. I’ll see to things here.” With that Lady Wang went over to see Lady Xing, engaging her in conversation to keep her at home while Pinger sent servants to make preparations.
“Don’t sneak out!” she instructed them. “If anybody sees you, just say that the Elder Mistress has ordered a carriage to take Granny Liu home.”
So the servants at the back were told to hire a carriage, while Pinger dressed Qiaojie up to look like Qinger and hurried her out. She herself, pretending to be seeing off Granny Liu, slipped into the carriage too when no one was looking; and so they left the mansion. Though the back gate had been open recently, there were only a couple of gatekeepers on duty; and though there were a few other servants around, as the place was so big and practically deserted how could they keep an eye on everything? Besides, Lady Xing had never shown them the least consideration whereas they were all indebted to Pinger; so although aware that this was wrong they connived at Qiaojie’s escape. Lady Xing, still talking with Lady Wang, had no inkling of what was afoot.
Lady Wang, however, was on tenterhooks. After making conversation for a while she slipped over to see Baochai, who observing her distracted air asked what was worrying her. Lady Wang told her in confidence what had happened.
“How dangerous!” exclaimed Baochai. “We must hurry up and stop Yun from going there.”
“But I can’t find Huan.”
“You had better pretend to know nothing about this, madam, while I find someone to inform Lady Xing.”
Lady Wang nodded and left it to her; but no more of this for the time being.
Now that prince from the provinces wanted to buy some serving-maids, and on the strength of the go-between’s description he sent some of his household to look Qiaojie over. When they reported back to him he asked about her family, and not daring to deceive him they told him the truth.
On learning that she came from an old noble family, the prince exclaimed, “Out of the question! This is strictly forbidden: it would have been a fiasco! Since I have already paid homage at court I must choose a day now to return to my post. If anyone comes to broach this again, send him packing!”
So today when Jia Yun and Wang Ren arrived to present Qiaojie’s horoscope, the prince’s attendants blustered, “His Highness has given orders: Anyone who tries to pass off a daughter of the Jia family as a common citizen must be arrested and tried! In this reign of peace who dares do such a thing?”
This so terrified Wang Ren and Jia Yun that they scuttled off, complaining that this had not been made clear at the start. They parted crestfallen.
Jia Huan, back at home waiting for news, was flustered to hear of Lady Wang’s summons. When Jia Yun came back alone his first words were, “Is it settled?”
Jia Yun stamped his foot. “The fat’s in the fire! Someone’s let the cat out of the bag!” He described the dressing-down they had been given.
In consternation Jia Huan said, “Now what’s to be done? After I made it sound so good to the Elder Mistress this morning, you lot have landed me in a proper mess!”
As they were wondering what to do, they heard servants inside calling that Their Ladyships wanted them. Very sheepishly they went in.
Lady Wang looked blackly at them and exclaimed, “A fine thing you’ve done, hounding Qiaojie and Pinger to death! Hurry up and bring me their bodies!”
The two young men fell on their knees. Jia Huan was too afraid to say a word. Jia Yun with bowed head protested, “We would never have dared, but Grand-Uncle Xing and Uncle Wang proposed this match for Qiaojie, as we reported to Your Ladyships. The Elder Mistress was willing, and told me to write out the horoscope. But that family has turned her down, so how did we hound her to death?”
“Huan told the Elder Mistress she’d be fetched away in three days,” snapped Lady Wang. “And that her relatives were the guarantors. Isn’t that what you said? Well, I shan’t question you now. Hurry up and bring Qiaojie back. You’ll have to answer for this when the master returns!” Lady Xing being now reduced to tearful silence, Lady Wang swore at Jia Huan, “Concubine Zhao was a bitch, and she left behind her a misbegotten scoundrel!” She called her maids to help her back to her own quarters.
Jia Huan, Jia Yun and Lady Xing indulged in mutual recriminations, then said, “Well, let’s stop blaming each other. They can’t really have killed themselves. Pinger must have hidden her in some relative’s house.”
Lady Xing sent for the gatemen from the front and the back of the house and berated them. “Do you know where Qiaojie and Pinger have gone?” she demanded.
They answered in the same vein, “Don’t ask us, madam. Ask the gentlemen in charge. You’ve no call to storm at us. When our mistress questions us we know what to say. She can have us all beaten or dismissed; but since Master Lian left there’ve been fine goings-on in the outer quarters! We haven’t been issued our monthly allowances. They gamble, get drunk, fool about with young actors, and even bring women from outside into the house. Isn’t that so, gentlemen?”
Jia Yun and Jia Huan had nothing to say for themselves, and when Lady Wang sent to order them to find Pinger and Qiaojie immediately they only wished the earth would swallow them up. They did not venture to question Qiaojie’s household, knowing that all the maids there, detesting them, would keep her whereabouts secret. Not daring to admit this to Lady Wang, they sent round to other relatives to ask, but in each case drew a blank. So Lady Xing inside and Jia Huan and the others outside were given no peace for several days in a row.
Soon came the day for the examination to end, and Lady Wang was eager for the return of Baoyu and Jia Lan. By the afternoon when there was no sign of them, she, Li Wan and Baochai sent servants out to make inquiries, but they did not come back, having no news. Others were sent, and when these did not return either the three women felt quite distraught.
That evening, to their delight Jia Lan came back.
“Where is your Uncle Bao?” he was asked.
Without stopping to pay his respects he sobbed, “Uncle Bao has disappeared!”
Lady Wang, dumbfounded, collapsed. Luckily Caiyun and others were at hand to carry her to her bed and revive her; but at once she started wailing. Baochai remained speechless, dazed.
Xiren, dissolved in tears, reproached Jia Lan, “Stupid creature! You were with him, how could you lose him?”
“In the hostel we ate and slept in the same place,” he told them. “And in the examination grounds our cells weren’t too far apart, so we kept in close touch. This morning, Uncle Bao finished his papers first and waited for me
to hand them in together. Then we came out together; but in the crowd at the Dragon Gate he disappeared. The servants who’d come to meet us asked me where he was and Li Gui said he’d seen him, just a few yards away, but he’d vanished in the crowd. I sent Li Gui and others to search in different directions while I took some men with me to
search all the cells. But he wasn’t there. That’s why I’m so late back.
Lady Wang was crying too much to speak, Baochai had a fair idea of the truth of the matter, while Xiren was sobbing as if she would never stop. So Jia Qiang without waiting for orders went out with others in different directions to search. In the Rong Mansion, plunged in gloom and half deserted, the banquet to welcome the candidates back went untouched. Forgetting his own exhaustion, Jia Lan wanted to make another search for Baoyu, but Lady Wang restrained him.
“Child, your uncle has disappeared,” she said. “We can’t have you getting lost too. Go and rest now, there’s a good boy!”
Still Jia Lan insisted on going, till Madam You and the rest managed to dissuade him.
Xichun, the only one to grasp the truth, could not divulge it. She asked Baochai, “Did Cousin Baoyu take his jade with him?”
“Of course, he always wore it,” was the answer, to which Xichun made no reply.
Xiren, recalling her attempt to snatch the jade from Baoyu, suspected the monk of spiriting him away. Her tears fell like pearls as, sobbing and broken-hearted, she remembered Baoyu’s past kindness. “Sometimes when I provoked him he lost his temper,” she thought. “But he always had the grace to make it up later, to say nothing of his warm-hearted consideration. When I provoked him too much, he swore he’d become a monk. For all we know he may have kept his word!”
By now it was already the fourth watch and there was still no news. Afraid Lady Wang would wear herself out with grief, Li Wan urged her to go and rest, and the others attended her, only Lady Xing going back to her own quarters while Jia Huan skulked out of sight. Lady Wang sent Jia Lan to bed but herself passed a sleepless night.
