A Golden Orchid Bond: Two Friends Open Their Hearts; On a Stormy Evening: A Melancholy Poem on Wind and Rain

Xifeng was comforting Ping’er when the other sisters came in. She quickly asked them to sit, and Ping’er poured tea. Xifeng smiled, “You all come so punctually today, as if you had received invitations.” Tanchun smiled, “We have two matters: one is mine, one is Fourth Sister’s, and there is also a message from Grandmother.” Xifeng smiled, “What matters could be so urgent?” Tanchun smiled, “We have started a poetry club, but the first meeting was not complete. Everyone was too soft-hearted, and so things fell into confusion. I think you must be our club censor, strict and impartial. Also, Fourth Sister is painting the Garden, and the things she needs are lacking in this way and that. We told Grandmother, and she said, ‘There may be some left from former years under the back storeroom. Look for them. If there are, bring them out; if not, have someone buy them.’” Xifeng smiled, “I cannot write poetry, wet or dry. Do you want me to eat?” Tanchun said, “You cannot write, and no one asks you to. You only need to watch over us and punish anyone who is lazy or idle.” Xifeng smiled, “Don’t try to fool me. I have guessed. It is not a club censor you want. Clearly you want me to be a copper merchant who pays in money. Whatever club you run, you must take turns as host. Your monthly allowance is not enough, so you have thought up this scheme to drag me in and get money from me. Is that the idea?” Everyone laughed. Li Wan smiled, “You really are a crystal heart and glass person.” Xifeng smiled, “And you are the elder sister-in-law! The girls were entrusted to you to teach them to read, to know proper behaviour, and to do needlework. If they do wrong, you should correct them. Now they want a poetry club; how much money can it take? And you wash your hands of it? Grandmother and Lady Wang are old ladies of honour. You have ten taels a month, twice as much as we get. Grandmother and Lady Wang said you were a widow with no income, poor thing, not enough to live on, and you have a son, so they added another ten taels, making you equal to Grandmother and Lady Wang. They gave you land in the Garden and you collect rent. At the year-end you get the highest share. You and your household, masters and servants, are fewer than ten people, and your food and clothing still come from the common fund. Altogether, that is four or five hundred taels a year. Now you could take out one or two hundred taels a year to amuse them. How many years will it last? When each of them marries, will you still have to pay? Now you begrudge the money, so you stir them up to come and plague me. I would be glad to eat you out of house and home, and I would not even know it.”

Li Wan laughed, “Listen to her! I said one word and she goes mad, pouring out two cartloads of rascally, muddy-legged, marketplace talk, always calculating and weighing every ounce. It is lucky she was born a young lady in a great family of letters and officials, and married into such a house, yet she is still like this. If she had been born in a poor humble family and been a boy, who knows how low and mean-tongued she would be! Everyone in the world is schemed out of their money by you! Yesterday you beat Ping’er. How could you bring yourself to do it? Did you pour that yellow wine into a dog’s belly? I was so angry I wanted to take up Ping’er’s cause. I thought it over for a long time. It was a rare good day, and I was afraid Grandmother would be upset, so I did not come. But I am still not over it. Today you have provoked me again. You are not even fit to pick up Ping’er’s shoes. You two ought to change places.” Everyone laughed. Xifeng quickly smiled, “So it is not poetry or painting you came for. This face is for Ping’er, to avenge her. I never expected Ping’er had such a backer. If I had known, even if a ghost had pulled my hand, I would not have struck her. Miss Ping’er, come here! Before the elder sister-in-law and the young ladies, I apologize to you. Bear with me; I had no virtue after wine.” Everyone laughed again. Li Wan smiled and asked Ping’er, “Well? I said I would win you some justice.” Ping’er smiled, “Even so, you ladies are teasing me. I cannot bear it.” Li Wan said, “What do you mean, cannot bear it? I am here. Hurry and get the keys and tell your mistress to open the storeroom and find the things.”

Xifeng smiled, “Good sister-in-law, go back to the Garden with them for now. I have just been about to settle the rice accounts, and over there Lady Xing has sent someone to call me. I do not know what she wants, but I must go. And the extra clothes for the New Year have not been prepared for them yet.” Li Wan smiled, “I do not care about any of that. Just finish my business so I can go and rest, and not have these girls and young ladies pestering me.” Xifeng quickly smiled, “Good sister-in-law, give me a little breathing space. You are the one who loves me most. How can you stop loving me today because of Ping’er? You used to advise me that however busy I was, I should take care of my health and snatch some rest. Today you are driving me to death. Besides, if other people’s New Year clothes are late, it does not matter, but if the sisters’ clothes are late, it is your responsibility. Would Grandmother not blame you for not managing such a simple matter? I would rather take the blame myself than involve you.” Li Wan smiled, “Listen to her! Is that not well put? What a talker! I ask you, are you going to take charge of this poetry club or not?” Xifeng smiled, “What kind of talk is that? If I do not join the club and spend a little money, I will be a rebel in the Garden. Do I still expect to eat here? Tomorrow morning I will take up my post. As soon as I dismount and seal the appointment, I will first put down fifty taels for you to use as club funds. After a few days, I still will not write poems or essays; I am only a vulgar person. ‘Censor’ or not ‘censor,’ once you have the money, you will not drive me out!” Everyone laughed again. Xifeng said, “In a little while I will open the storeroom. Anything of that kind, I will have it carried out for you to see. If it is usable, keep it. If anything is missing, according to your list, I will have someone buy it. I will cut the painting silk. The sketch is not with Lady Wang; it is still over there with Cousin Zhen. I tell you so you do not run into a rebuff. I will send someone to fetch it, and have it and the silk given to the gentlemen to size, all right?” Li Wan nodded and smiled, “That is good of you. If you really do that, it will be fine. Since that is so, let us go home. When she does not send them, we will come and plague her again.” She led the sisters away. Xifeng said, “In these matters there are never just two people; it all comes from Baoyu.” Li Wan heard and turned back, smiling, “Yes, it was for Baoyu we came, and I forgot him. He missed the first meeting. We are too soft-hearted. What do you say should be his punishment?” Xifeng thought and said, “There is no other way. Make him sweep the floor in each of your rooms once.” Everyone laughed, “That is fair.”

They were about to go when a little maid helped Old Nurse Lai in. Xifeng and the others quickly stood up and smiled, “Auntie, sit down.” They all congratulated her. Old Nurse Lai sat on the edge of the kang and smiled, “I am happy, and my masters are happy. If not for my masters’ grace, where would our happiness come from? Yesterday the mistress sent Caige with gifts, and my grandson kowtowed at the gate.” Li Wan smiled, “When does he take up his post?” Old Nurse Lai sighed, “I do not manage them. Let them go their own way. A few days ago he kowtowed to me at home, and I gave him no kind words. I said, ‘Boy, do not think because you are an official you can act like a tyrant. You are thirty this year. Though you were born a slave, by our masters’ grace you were freed at birth. Above, you rely on our masters’ fortune; below, on your father and mother. You were raised like a young gentleman, learned to read, and were waited on hand and foot like a phoenix by maids, nurses, and servants. You do not know how the word “slave” is written. You only know pleasure, and do not know the bitterness your grandfather and father suffered. They struggled for two or three generations before producing a thing like you. From childhood you had one illness after another; the silver spent on you could have made a silver image of you. At twenty, by our masters’ grace, you were allowed to buy a rank. Look how many true-born sons go hungry. You are a slave’s shoot; be careful not to ruin your fortune. Now you have enjoyed ten years. Somehow you used tricks and spirits to beg our masters and were selected for office. A district magistrate is a small post, but the responsibility is great. As magistrate of a district, you are the parent of that region. If you do not keep to your place, serve your country loyally, and honour your masters, I fear Heaven will not tolerate you.’” Li Wan and Xifeng both smiled, “You worry too much. We think he is doing well. A few years ago he came in twice; he has not come for several years. At New Year and his birthday, we only see his name on the list. The other day he came to kowtow to Grandmother and Lady Wang. In Grandmother’s courtyard, we saw him in his new official clothes, and he looked more imposing and plumper than before. Now that he has an office, you should be happy. Instead you worry about these things. If he is not good, he has his father. You just enjoy yourself. When you are free, come in a sedan chair, play cards with Grandmother for a day, and talk with her. No one would have the face to wrong you. At home you also have halls and buildings. Everyone respects you. You are like an old lady of honour.”

Ping’er poured tea, and Old Nurse Lai quickly stood up to take it, smiling, “Girl, you should have any child pour it. You should not trouble yourself for me.” She drank tea and said, “The mistress does not know. These young ones must be strictly controlled. Even so, they still steal chances to make trouble and worry the elders. Those who know say children are naughty; those who do not say they rely on wealth and power to bully others, and even the master’s reputation suffers. I get so angry I often call their father and scold him, and then they are a little better.” She pointed at Baoyu and said, “Do not mind me saying so, but nowadays the master only disciplines you a little, and Grandmother protects you. When the master was small, he was beaten by your grandfather. Who did not see it? When the master was small, was he ever as fearless as you? And the elder master, though naughty, was not as spoiled as you. He was beaten every day. And in the Eastern Mansion, your Cousin Zhen’s grandfather was like oil poured on fire. If he was angered, what son? He would interrogate him like a thief. Now I see and hear that Cousin Zhen manages his son according to the old rules, but he is inconsistent. He does not manage himself. How can his brothers and nephews not resent him and fear him? If you understand in your heart, you like what I say. If not, you are too polite to say so, but in your heart you are cursing me.”

Just then Lai Da’s wife came, followed by Zhou Rui’s wife and Zhang Cai’s wife, who had come to report matters. Xifeng smiled, “The daughter-in-law has come to fetch her mother-in-law.” Lai Da’s wife smiled, “I did not come to fetch the old lady. I came to ask whether the ladies and young ladies will do us the honour.” Old Nurse Lai heard and smiled, “I am confused. I have not said the proper thing, only rambled about old sesame and rotten grain. Because our boy was selected for office, all our relatives and friends want to congratulate him, so we must give a feast at home. I thought, if we give one day’s feast, inviting this one is wrong, inviting that one is wrong. Then I thought again: by our masters’ great fortune, we have this unexpected glory. Even if it ruins us, I am willing. So I told his father to give three days of feasts. The first day, in our poor garden, we will set a few tables and a play, and invite Grandmother, the ladies, the young married women, and the young ladies to spend a day and relieve their boredom. In the outer hall there will be another play and tables for the masters and gentlemen to add lustre. The second day we will invite relatives and friends. The third day we will invite our companions from both mansions. Three days of excitement, all relying on our masters’ fortune, to bring us glory.” Li Wan and Xifeng both smiled, “What day? We will certainly go, though whether Grandmother will be pleased to go is not certain.” Lai Da’s wife quickly said, “We have chosen the fourteenth. We only ask that our mistress favour us with her old face.” Xifeng smiled, “Others may not know, but I will certainly go. I tell you beforehand, I have no congratulatory gift, and I do not know about tipping. I will eat and then leave. Do not laugh at me.” Lai Da’s wife smiled, “What is the mistress saying? If you wish to tip, give us twenty or thirty thousand taels and that will do.” Old Nurse Lai smiled, “I just went to invite Grandmother, and she said she would go. So my face is still good.” After saying this, she urged them again and was about to rise and go. Seeing Zhou Rui’s wife, she remembered something and said, “There is one more question for the mistress. What wrong did Zhou Rui’s son do, that he is to be dismissed?” Xifeng heard and smiled, “I was just going to tell your daughter-in-law, but I forgot with so much to do. Sister Lai, go back and tell your old man: neither mansion is to keep that boy. Let him go his own way.”

Lai Da’s wife had to agree. Zhou Rui’s wife quickly knelt and begged. Old Nurse Lai quickly said, “What is it? Tell me and let me judge.” Xifeng said, “On my birthday the other day, before the wine was served inside, that boy was already drunk. When the old lady’s household sent gifts, he did not go out to receive them. Instead he sat there cursing, and did not bring the gifts in. When two women came in, he finally led the young servants to carry them in. The young servants were fine, but he dropped a box and scattered steamed buns all over the courtyard. After the people left, I sent Caiming to speak to him, and he cursed Caiming. Such a lawless bastard, if not dismissed, what then?” Old Nurse Lai smiled, “I thought it was something else. It is only this. Mistress, listen to me: if he has done wrong, beat him and scold him to make him mend his ways. Dismissing him is out of the question. He is not one of our own born servants; he is Lady Wang’s serving-woman’s son. If you dismiss him, Lady Wang will lose face. I say, mistress, give him a few strokes to warn him for next time, and keep him. If not for his mother, then for Lady Wang’s sake.” Xifeng heard and said to Lai Da’s wife, “Since that is so, give him forty strokes, and he is not to drink wine again.” Lai Da’s wife agreed. Zhou Rui’s wife kowtowed and rose, then wanted to kowtow to Old Nurse Lai, but Lai Da’s wife pulled her back. Then the three women left, and Li Wan and the others returned to the Garden.

That evening Xifeng indeed had many old painting materials brought out and sent to the Garden. Baochai and the others selected them. Only half of the various things were usable. They made a list of the other half and gave it to Xifeng to buy. No need to detail.

One day the silk was sized outside and the sketch was brought in. Baoyu helped Xichun every day. Tanchun, Li Wan, Yingchun, Baochai and the others often went there to sit, both to watch the painting and to meet. Baochai saw that the weather was cool and the nights were growing longer, so she went to her mother’s room to discuss preparing some needlework. During the day she paid two respects to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, and inevitably had to sit and chat with them for a while. She also had to spend time chatting with the sisters in the Garden, so she was not free during the day. Every night she did needlework under the lamp until the third watch before sleeping. Daiyu, after the spring and autumn equinoxes each year, always suffered from a cough. This autumn, as Grandmother Jia was in high spirits, she had gone out more than usual and overexerted herself. Recently her cough had returned and felt worse than before, so she stayed in her room to rest. Sometimes when she was bored, she longed for a sister to come and chat, but when Baochai and the others came to see her, after a few words she would become impatient again. Everyone made allowances because she was ill and naturally delicate, unable to bear the slightest vexation, so they did not blame her for poor hospitality or neglect of etiquette.

One day Baochai came to see her, and they spoke of her illness. Baochai said, “The doctors who come here are all right, but their medicine never seems to help you. Why not ask a more skilled physician to examine you? If you were cured, would that not be good? Every year you are ill for a spring and a summer. You are neither old nor young. What kind of life is this? It cannot go on.” Daiyu said, “It is no use. I know my illness cannot be cured. Never mind the illness; just look at how I am on my good days, and you will understand.” Baochai nodded, “That is true. The ancients said, ‘Those who eat grain live.’ What you eat does not nourish your spirit, blood, and energy. That is not good.” Daiyu sighed, “Life and death are decreed by fate; wealth and honour are from Heaven. Human strength cannot force them. This year I feel it is worse than before.” As she spoke, she coughed two or three times. Baochai said, “Yesterday I looked at your prescription. I think there is too much ginseng and cinnamon. They may tonify the vital spirit, but they are too heating. I would say the first thing is to calm the liver and strengthen the stomach. When the liver fire is calm, it will not attack the spleen. When the stomach is well, food can nourish you. Every morning take one ounce of best bird’s nest and five mace of rock sugar, and stew it in a silver pot into porridge. If you get used to it, it is better than medicine, and it best nourishes yin and supplements the vital spirit.”

Daiyu sighed, “You have always been very good to people, but I am the most suspicious person. I thought you had a hidden motive. Since the other day, when you said reading miscellaneous books was bad and gave me such good advice, I have been truly grateful. In the past I was wrong, and I have deceived myself until now. Thinking carefully, my mother died early, and I have no sisters or brothers. I am fifteen this year, and no one has ever advised me as you did the other day. No wonder Yun girl says you are good. In the past when I heard her praise you, I was not pleased. Yesterday I experienced it myself, and now I understand. For example, if you had said that to me, I would never have let you off lightly. But you did not mind, and instead advised me. So I have indeed been wronging myself. If I had not seen it the other day, I would not tell you this today. You just spoke of my eating bird’s nest porridge. Although bird’s nest is easy to get, I am not well. Every year I have this illness, and there is no urgent place to go. Calling doctors, boiling medicine, ginseng and cinnamon—it has already made a great commotion. Now if I start some new fashion of bird’s nest porridge, Grandmother, Lady Wang, and Xifeng may say nothing, but the old nurses and maids below will surely think me too troublesome. Look at these people here. Because Grandmother loves Baoyu and Xifeng more, they already glare like tigers and gossip behind their backs. How much more with me? Besides, I am not a proper mistress here. I am a dependent with no one to rely on. They already dislike me. If I do not know my place, why give them cause to curse me?” Baochai said, “If you say that, then I am the same as you.” Daiyu said, “How can you be like me? You have a mother and a brother. You have business and land here, and you still have house and land at home. You are only staying here as a relative. You do not touch a penny of theirs for anything, great or small, and you can leave whenever you want. I have nothing. My food, clothing, and every blade of grass and sheet of paper are the same as the young ladies of their house. How can those petty people not dislike me more?” Baochai smiled, “In the future you will only cost them an extra dowry. There is no need to worry about that now.” Daiyu blushed and smiled, “I just treated you as a sensible person and told you my troubles, and you make fun of me.” Baochai smiled, “It is a joke, but it is also true. Do not worry. As long as I am here, I will keep you company. If you have any grievances or troubles, tell me, and whatever I can solve, I will solve for you. I may have a brother, but you know what he is like. I only have a mother, who is a little better than your situation. We are companions in misfortune. You are sensible, so why sigh like Sima Niu? What you said is also right: it is better to have one less trouble than one more. Tomorrow I will go home and tell Mother. I think we may still have some at home. I will send you a few ounces. Every day have the maids stew it. It is convenient and does not make a great fuss.” Daiyu quickly smiled, “The thing itself is small. It is rare that you are so kind.” Baochai said, “What is there to mention? I only fear I fail in courtesy to everyone. I am afraid you are tired. I will go now.” Daiyu said, “Come again in the evening and talk with me a little.” Baochai agreed and left.

Daiyu drank a few mouthfuls of thin porridge and lay down again. Unexpectedly, before sunset the weather changed and it began to rain with a soft patter. The autumn rain was continuous, the sky uncertain. As evening came, it grew dark and gloomy, and the rain dripping on the bamboo tips made it feel even more desolate. Knowing Baochai could not come, she took a book at random under the lamp. It was a collection of Yuefu poems, including “Autumn Boudoir Grief” and “Parting Grief.” Daiyu felt moved and could not help composing. She wrote a poem, “In Imitation of Parting,” modeled on the form of “Spring River, Flowers, Moonlight Night,” and called it “Wind and Rain on an Autumn Window at Evening.” The poem says:

Sad autumn flowers, yellow autumn grass,
The autumn lamp glows, the autumn night is long.
Already the autumn window holds endless autumn;
How can wind and rain add to the desolation?
The wind and rain that aid autumn come so fast!
They break the green autumn dream at the autumn window.
Holding autumn grief, I cannot bear to sleep;
I move the tearful candle to the autumn screen.
The tearful candle flickers, burning the short stand,
Drawing sorrow, lighting grief, stirring parting.
Whose autumn courtyard has no wind?
Where is the autumn window without rain?
The silk coverlet cannot withstand the autumn wind;
The dying water-clock urges the autumn rain.
All night it murmurs and whistles;
Before the lamp it seems to weep with the parted one.
Cold mist in the small courtyard turns desolate;
Through sparse bamboo and empty window it drips.
I do not know when wind and rain will stop;
Already tears have wet the window gauze.

After chanting, she put down the brush and was about to rest when a maid announced, “Master Bao is here.” Before she finished, Baoyu came in wearing a large bamboo hat and a straw raincoat. Daiyu could not help laughing, “Where did this fisherman come from?” Baoyu quickly asked, “Are you better today? Have you taken your medicine? How much have you eaten today?” As he spoke, he took off the hat and raincoat, lifted the lamp with one hand, shaded the light with the other, and shone it on Daiyu’s face. Squinting, he looked closely and smiled, “Your colour is a little better today.”

Daiyu saw that under the raincoat he wore an old red silk jacket, a green sash, and below his knees, oil-green silk trousers with scattered flowers, and embroidered padded socks and butterfly slippers. Daiyu asked, “Your top is protected from the rain, but are your shoes and socks not afraid of the rain? They are clean.” Baoyu smiled, “My outfit is complete. I have a pair of crab-apple wood clogs. I wore them here and left them on the verandah.” Daiyu looked at the raincoat and hat. They were not ordinary market things, but very fine and light. She said, “What grass are they woven from? No wonder they do not make you look like a hedgehog.” Baoyu said, “The Prince of Beijing gave me all three. When it rains and he is at home, he wears them too. If you like them, I will get a set for you. The rest are nothing, but the hat is interesting. It is adjustable. The top is removable. In winter when it snows, you put on the cap, pull out the bamboo pin, take off the top, and are left with the brim. Men and women can wear it in snow. I will give you one to wear when it snows.” Daiyu smiled, “I do not want it. If I wore that, I would look like a fisherman’s wife in a painting or on the stage.” As soon as she said it, she remembered she had not thought, and it connected with what she had just called Baoyu. She regretted it and blushed scarlet. She leaned over the table and coughed.

Baoyu did not notice. He saw a poem on the table and picked it up. He read it through and could not help praising it. Daiyu heard and got up, snatched it, and burned it in the lamp. Baoyu smiled, “I have memorized it. Burning it does not matter.” Daiyu said, “I am much better. Thank you for coming to see me several times a day, even in the rain. It is late now. I want to rest. Please go back and come tomorrow.” Baoyu heard and took from his bosom a gold watch the size of a walnut. He looked at it. The hands pointed between the end of the ninth and the beginning of the tenth watch. He put it back and said, “It is time to rest. I have disturbed you and made you tired.” He put on the raincoat and hat and went out. Then he turned back and asked, “What would you like to eat? Tell me, and tomorrow morning I will tell Grandmother. Would that not be clearer than the old women telling her?” Daiyu smiled, “If I think of something in the night, I will tell you tomorrow morning. Listen, the rain is heavier. Go quickly. Is anyone with you?” Two old women answered, “Yes, we have umbrellas and a lantern outside.” Daiyu smiled, “A lantern in this weather?” Baoyu said, “It does not matter. It is a bright-tile lantern. It is not afraid of rain.” Daiyu heard and took from the bookshelf a glass lantern shaped like an embroidered ball. She had a small candle lit and gave it to Baoyu, saying, “This is brighter than that one. It is just right for rain.” Baoyu said, “I have one too. I was afraid they would slip and break it, so I did not light it.” Daiyu said, “Is a lamp worth more than a person? If you fall, which is more valuable? You are not used to clogs. Have them light the way in front. This is light and bright. It is meant to be carried in the rain. Would it not be good for you to carry it yourself? Send it back tomorrow. Even if you drop it, it is not much. Why have you suddenly become so miserly, like cutting open your belly to hide a pearl?” Baoyu heard and quickly took it. Two old women in front held umbrellas and a bright-tile lantern, and two little maids with umbrellas followed. Baoyu gave the glass lantern to a little maid to carry, and leaning on her shoulder, he went away.

A woman from Baochai’s quarters came with an umbrella and a lantern. She brought a large package of best bird’s nest and a package of fine powder, plum slices, snowflake, and foreign sugar. She said, “This is better than what you can buy. The young lady says: eat this first, and when it is finished, we will send more.” Daiyu said, “Go back and thank her for her trouble.” She told her to sit outside and have tea. The woman smiled, “I will not have tea. I have things to do.” Daiyu smiled, “I know you are busy. Now the weather is cold and the nights are long. You should have night gatherings and gamble a few rounds.” The woman smiled, “To tell you the truth, Miss, I have profited greatly this year. Every night there are people on night duty here and there. If they miss the watch, it is not good. So we hold night gatherings, both to keep the watch and to pass the time. Tonight I am the bank. Now the Garden gate is closed, so it is time to begin.” Daiyu heard and smiled, “Thank you for your trouble. You have lost money by coming in the rain.” She ordered a few hundred coins given to her to buy wine and keep off the damp. The woman smiled, “You are spending money again to treat me to wine.” She kowtowed, took the money outside, and left with her umbrella.

Zijuan put away the bird’s nest, then moved the lamp and lowered the curtain, and helped Daiyu to bed. Daiyu lay on the pillow, grateful to Baochai. At one moment she envied her for having a mother and brother; at another she thought that although Baoyu was always kind to her, there was still suspicion between them. She heard the rain pattering on the bamboo tips and banana leaves outside, and the cold seemed to pierce the curtain. She could not help weeping again. Only near the fourth watch did she gradually fall asleep. Nothing more for now. To know what happened next, read the next chapter.