A Night Banquet Is Held, and an Ominous Sound Is Heard; Poems for the Mid-Autumn Festival Yield a Good Omen

Madam You left Xichun’s room in a fit of pique and was about to go to Lady Wang’s apartments. The old nurse attending her quietly advised, “Mistress, do not go to the main rooms just now. A few people from the Zhen family have arrived and brought some things with them. It looks as if there is some secret and serious business. It would probably be inconvenient for you to go there now.”

Madam You said, “Yesterday I heard our master say that the official notices stated the Zhen family had committed a crime, their property had been confiscated, and their family members were to be sent to the capital for punishment. How could anyone from their family still come here?”

The old nurse said, “That is exactly what makes it strange. The women who just came looked flustered and very pale. They must be hiding something shameful.”

When Madam You heard this, she did not go to Lady Wang’s, but turned toward Li Wan’s quarters. The doctor had just finished taking Li Wan’s pulse and left. Li Wan had lately been a little better. Wrapped in a quilt, she sat propped on pillows on the bed, wishing someone would come and chat with her. Seeing Madam You enter with an expression unlike her usual gentle one, she sat blankly.

Li Wan asked, “You have been here quite a while. Have you eaten anything in the other rooms? Do not let yourself go hungry.” She told Suyun to find some fresh refreshments.

Madam You quickly stopped her. “No, no. You have been ill all this time. What fresh food could you have? Besides, I am not hungry.”

Li Wan said, “Yesterday my aunt sent some fine tea powder. I will make you a bowl.” She told the servants to brew tea. Madam You sat staring, saying nothing.

The maid and wife who had come with her asked, “Mistress, you have not washed your face since noon. Why not wash now while you have the chance?” Madam You nodded. Li Wan quickly told Suyun to bring her own toilet things. Suyun brought the dressing case and also her own rouge and powder, smiling. “Our mistress does not have much of this. If you do not mind, Mistress, use mine for the time being.”

Li Wan said, “Even if I have none, you should go to the girls’ rooms and fetch some. Why bring out your own? Fortunately it is Madam You. Anyone else might take offense.”

Madam You smiled. “What does it matter? Every time I come, whose things have I not used? Would I suddenly dislike them as dirty today?” She sat cross-legged on the edge of the kang. The maid Yindie came forward to help her take off her bracelets and rings, then covered her lower body with a large towel and arranged her clothes. The little maid Fried Bean brought a large basin of warm water and stood before Madam You, bending and holding the basin.

Li Wan scolded, “How can you be so ignorant of the rules!”

Yindie smiled and scolded Fried Bean. “You really have no sense at all. Whatever others say, you just do. Our mistress is usually lenient with servants, so at home it does not matter. But when out and before relatives, you still behave so casually.”

Madam You said, “Let her be. Once I have washed, it is over.” Fried Bean, frightened, knelt and held the basin. Madam You sighed. “Up and down our household, people talk of empty propriety and face, but what they do behind the scenes is truly unbearable.”

Li Wan heard this and knew she had already learned of the search of Grand View Garden the night before. She smiled and asked, “There is something behind your words. Whose conduct is so improper?”

Madam You said, “You still ask me! Are you so ill that you are unconscious and know nothing?”

Before she finished, a servant announced, “Miss Bao is here.” She was invited in. Baochai entered. Madam You quickly wiped her face and rose to offer her a seat. She asked, “Why have you come alone? Where are the other sisters?”

Baochai said, “I have not seen them either. My mother is not feeling well today, and two of our serving women are also down with seasonal illness, so there is no one to look after her. Tonight I must go home and stay with my mother. I meant to report to the old lady and Lady Wang, but on second thought it is not such a great matter. I will not mention it for now. When my mother is better, I will come back. I came specially to tell you, Elder Sister-in-law.”

Li Wan heard this and only smiled at Madam You. Madam You also smiled at Li Wan. After Madam You finished washing and dressing, they all drank tea and ate refreshments. Li Wan said, “In that case, send someone to ask after your aunt and see what her illness is. I am still ill myself and cannot go in person. Good sister, you just go home. I will send someone to help watch your rooms. Try to stay only a day or two and then come back, so I will not be blamed for not looking after you properly.”

Baochai smiled. “What blame could there be? This is only natural. It is not as if I let a thief go. In my opinion, there is no need to send extra people. Better to ask Shi Xiangyun to come and stay with you for a couple of days. Would that not be simpler?”

Madam You said, “Yes. Where has Cousin Shi gone?”

Baochai said, “I just sent someone to find Tanchun and ask her to bring Xiangyun here. I can tell her in person.”

As she spoke, a servant announced, “Miss Shi and Miss Tan have come.” After they had all taken seats, Baochai told them she was going home.

Tanchun said, “Very good. Even if Auntie recovers and she does not come back, it does not matter.”

Madam You smiled. “That is strange talk. It sounds as if you are driving a relative away.”

Tanchun sneered. “Is it not so? Better to leave of one’s own accord than be driven out. If relatives get along well, there is no need to cling to another’s house. Look at our own flesh and blood, each like a rooster with reddened eyes, wishing to eat the other alive!”

Madam You quickly smiled apologetically. “What unlucky day is this for me? I run into you sisters full of fire.”

Tanchun said, “Who told you to come and run into the muzzle?” She asked, “Who made you unhappy?” Then she thought and said, “Cousin Xichun would not make things hard for you. Then who was it?” Madam You only answered vaguely.

Tanchun saw she feared trouble and did not want to say more, so she smiled. “Do not pretend to be honest and timid. Except for the court condemning someone to death, there is nothing to fear. Do not shrink back. To tell you the truth, yesterday I struck that old woman Wang Shanbao’s wife with my own hand. I am still bearing the blame. At worst people will gossip behind my back. Would they dare beat me?”

Baochai quickly asked why she had struck her. Tanchun told the whole story of the search of Grand View Garden the night before and how she had punished Wang Shanbao’s wife. Seeing Tanchun had spoken openly, Madam You also told what had just happened at Xichun’s.

Tanchun said, “That is Xichun’s nature—too solitary and stubborn. None of us can bend her.” She added, “This morning I heard no news, but after inquiring I learned Wang Xifeng had fallen ill again. I sent my mother to find out what happened to Wang Shanbao’s wife. She came back and said Wang Shanbao’s wife had been beaten, and Lady Xing blamed her for meddling and causing trouble.”

Madam You and Li Wan both said, “That is fair enough.”

Tanchun sneered. “Who can not make such a show of covering things over? We will see what happens later.” Madam You and Li Wan were silent. Guessing that dinner was about to be served in the front, Xiangyun and Baochai went back to their rooms to pack clothes. We need not mention it.

Madam You took leave of Li Wan and went to the old lady’s quarters. The old lady was leaning on her couch, and Lady Wang was telling her how the Zhen family had been convicted, their property confiscated, and their family members sent to the capital for punishment. The old lady was depressed. Seeing Madam You and the others come, she asked, “Where have you come from? How are Xifeng and the other sisters-in-law today?”

Madam You and the others replied, “They are both a little better today.”

The old lady nodded and sighed. “We need not concern ourselves with other families’ troubles. The proper thing is to discuss how we shall enjoy the moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth.”

Lady Wang smiled. “Everything is prepared. But the garden is open and the night wind cold. We do not know where the old lady would like the banquet set.”

The old lady smiled. “Wear two more layers and it will be fine. The garden is the best place to enjoy the moon. How could we not go?”

As she spoke, serving women and maids brought in the dining table. Lady Wang, Madam You, and the others set out bowls and chopsticks and served the dishes. The old lady saw her own dishes laid out and two large food boxes brought in with other dishes. This was the old rule by which each branch offered food to the elders.

The old lady asked, “What dishes are these? I have told you several times that this ceremony may be omitted, but you will not listen. Our days are not as prosperous as before.”

Faithful said, “I have urged them several times, but no one listens to me, so there is nothing to be done.”

Lady Wang smiled. “They are only ordinary home dishes. Today I am eating vegetarian, so there is no meat. The old lady does not care for gluten or bean curd, so I only chose a dish of pepper-oil water-shield with sauce.”

The old lady smiled. “That is just right. I was wanting that.” Faithful moved the dish before the old lady. Baoqin politely invited everyone before sitting. The old lady called Tanchun to eat with her. After Tanchun had yielded politely, she sat facing Baoqin. Shishu hurried to bring bowls and chopsticks.

Faithful pointed to several other dishes. “These two are hard to identify. They were sent by the senior master, Jia She. This bowl of chicken-marrow bamboo shoots was sent from Jia Zhen’s side.” She placed the bamboo shoots on the table. The old lady tasted a little and said, “Take the other two back and say I have eaten. In future there is no need to send them every day. When I want something, I will ask for it.” The serving women obeyed.

The old lady said, “Bring some congee.” Madam You had already brought a bowl of red rice congee. The old lady drank half a bowl and said, “Take this bowl of congee to Wang Xifeng. Take this bowl of bamboo shoots and a plate of wind-cured civet to Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu. That bowl of meat is for Jia Lan.”

She said to Madam You, “I have finished. You eat here.” Madam You agreed. After the old lady rinsed her mouth and washed her hands, she rose and walked about to aid digestion, chatting with Lady Wang. Madam You sat down to eat. Tanchun and Baoqin also rose and said, “We must take our leave.”

Madam You smiled. “I am the only one left. I am not used to eating at such a large table.”

The old lady smiled. “Faithful, Amber, you sit down and eat with her too. Make it livelier.”

Madam You smiled. “I was just about to say that.”

The old lady watched with pleasure and pointed to Yindie. “This girl can come and eat with her mistress. When you are not before me, you may keep your rules.” Madam You called Yindie over and told her not to stand on ceremony.

The old lady watched with her hands behind her back, amused. Seeing the servants had given Madam You ordinary rice meant for servants, she scolded them. “Are you muddle-headed? How can you give Madam You this rice?”

The servant replied, “The old lady’s fine rice is finished. Today Miss Baoqin came, so there was not enough.”

Faithful said, “Nowadays we measure everything to the head before making the hats. There is no surplus at all.”

Lady Wang quickly explained, “These last two years there have been droughts and floods. The farms have not delivered enough grain. This fine rice is especially hard to get. It is issued by fixed amounts according to the number of people, for fear we may run out. Rice bought outside is not as good.”

The old lady smiled. “As the saying goes, even the cleverest housewife cannot make porridge without rice.” Everyone laughed.

Faithful said, “Since there is not enough, bring Third Girl’s portion and add it. Why be so rigid?”

Madam You said, “My portion is enough. No need to fetch more.”

Faithful said, “You have enough, but I have not eaten yet.” The servants then hurried to fetch rice.

Afterward Lady Wang also went to eat, and Madam You stayed to chat and laugh with the old lady.

When it was dark and the first watch had come, the old lady said, “It is quite dark. You may go back.” Madam You took leave. At the main gate she got into her carriage, with Yindie on the shaft. The serving woman let down the curtain, and the little maids went ahead to wait at the Ning Mansion gate. The Rong and Ning Mansions were close together. Ordinarily they did not make a great show when coming and going, and at night they went back and forth even more frequently. The old nurse and little maids walked over in a few steps. The servants at both gates cleared the street of passersby. Madam You’s large carriage did not use an animal; seven or eight pages pulled it and gently pushed it to the steps of the Ning Mansion. The pages withdrew beyond the stone lions. The nurse lifted the curtain. Yindie got down first, then helped Madam You down. Seven or eight lanterns lit the area clearly.

Madam You saw four or five large carriages parked by the stone lions. She knew they belonged to people who had come to feast and gamble. She said to Yindie and the others, “Look how many came in carriages. Who knows how many more came on horseback. Their horses are all hidden in the stables. I wonder how much property their parents accumulated, to let them squander and enjoy themselves like this.” As she spoke, she entered the main hall. Jia Rong’s wife came out with maids and serving women holding torches to welcome her.

Madam You smiled. “Usually I want to secretly watch them enjoy themselves, but never have the chance. Today is just right. Let us quietly go past the window and look.” The serving women obeyed, carrying lanterns to lead the way, and quietly told the pages on duty not to make a fuss.

Madam You and her party quietly went under the window. They heard endless cheering and laughter inside, mixed with angry curses and resentful quarrels.

It turned out that Jia Zhen, being in mourning, could not go out for pleasure, nor watch opera or listen to music. The days were dull, so he thought of a way to pass the time. By day he used archery practice as an excuse and invited young men of noble families and wealthy friends to compete. He said, “Shooting without purpose is useless. One cannot improve one’s skill and may ruin one’s posture. There must be stakes and prizes so that everyone will practice seriously.” So targets were set up on the archery range below Tianxiang Tower, and they agreed to come after breakfast each day to shoot.

Jia Zhen did not act as host himself; he made Jia Rong the host. Those who came were all young lords from hereditary official families, rich and idle, given to eating, drinking, and pleasure. They agreed to take turns giving dinner, so as not to keep troubling Jia Rong. Every day they killed pigs and sheep and held great feasts, competing over whose cook was better.

In less than half a month, Jia She and Jia Zheng heard of it. Not knowing the truth, they thought it a good thing. If the boys were lax in reading, practice in martial arts was still proper, especially since the Jia family had inherited its title by military merit. So they told Jia Huan, Jia Cong, Baoyu, and Jia Lan to go after meals and practice archery with Jia Zhen before returning home.

But Jia Zhen’s real intention was not archery. After a day or two, he made the excuse that his arm was tired and needed rest. In the evening they began to play dominoes, gambling wine and snacks as stakes, and gradually changed to gambling silver. After three or four months, gambling became livelier than archery. They openly gathered to throw dice and play cards, gambling all night. The servants also profited and wished for it every day. It became a regular affair, and outsiders knew nothing.

Recently Lady Xing’s younger brother, Xing Dequan, was especially fond of gambling and joined in. Xue Pan, always free with money, was even happier there. Xing Dequan was Lady Xing’s full brother, but his nature was completely unlike hers. He loved only drinking, gambling, and pleasure. He spent money freely and had no guile. He befriended those who drank and ignored those who did not. He treated masters and servants alike, without regard to rank. People called him Silly Great Uncle. Xue Pan was known as Foolish Great Master.

Today the two were together. They liked to play a fast card game called “Grab the New Quick.” They had invited two other families to play on the kang in the outer room. Several other groups played other gambling games on the large table on the floor. One group in the inner room was a little more refined, playing the domino game Heaven and Nine. The attendants here were all boys under fifteen; grown men were not allowed in, which was why Madam You could secretly watch from outside the window. There were also two beautiful boys of sixteen or seventeen pouring wine, finely dressed.

Xue Pan had just lost a round and was unhappy. After the second round he calculated that he had won instead, and his spirits rose. Jia Zhen said, “Stop for now. We will play after dinner.” He asked about the other two tables. The inner room domino players had settled accounts and were waiting to eat. The table on the floor had not finished and would not stop. They could not hurry them, so they first set a large banquet. Jia Zhen ate with them and told Jia Rong to stay behind and keep the other group company.

Xue Pan was in high spirits. He put his arm around one of the wine boys and drank, then told the boy to toast Great Uncle Xing. Xing Dequan had just lost money and was in a bad mood. After two bowls of wine he grew drunk and complained that the two wine boys only flattered the winners and ignored the losers. He cursed, “You snobs! You are with us every day. Who has not been served by you? Just because I lost a few taels today, you divide us into ranks! Will there not be a day when you need something from us?”

The others saw he was drunk and quickly tried to smooth things over. “He is right. They do have that bad habit.” They ordered the boys to kneel and apologize with wine. The two boys, trained for such work, quickly knelt with cups and said, “In our trade, our masters teach us to flatter only those who have money and power at the moment. Even if a man were a living Buddha or immortal, once he has no money or power, we cannot court him. Besides, we are young and do this work. We beg Great Uncle to be generous.” They knelt holding up the cups.

Xing Dequan had already calmed down, but pretended still to be angry. The others urged, “The boy speaks honestly. Great Uncle is always soft-hearted and considerate. Why take it seriously today? If you do not drink this cup, how will they dare rise?” Xing Dequan could not keep up the pretense, so he took the wine and drank it off, then filled another cup.

After several cups, Xing Dequan, made bold by wine, revealed what was in his heart. He struck the table and sighed to Jia Zhen, “No wonder people value money more than life. How many official families, kith and kin, once money and power are involved, forget all family feeling. Good nephew, yesterday I even quarreled with your aunt, Lady Xing. Did you know?”

Jia Zhen said, “I had not heard.”

Xing Dequan sighed. “It is all trouble caused by money. Truly terrible!”

Jia Zhen knew he did not get along with Lady Xing and was often coldly treated and pushed aside by her, which was why he was full of complaints. He advised, “Old Uncle, you spend far too freely. No fortune can stand such spending.”

Xing Dequan said, “Good nephew, you do not know the inside story of our Xing family. When my mother died, I was still young and did not understand family affairs. There were three sisters. Your aunt, Lady Xing, was the eldest and married early, and she took charge of the Xing family property. After my second sister married, the family was poor. My third sister is still unmarried. All the family expenses are controlled by her dowry servant Wang Shanbao’s wife. When I want money, I am not spending the Jia family’s silver. It is our own Xing family property, yet I cannot get a single coin. I have nowhere to tell my bitterness.”

Jia Zhen saw he was drunk and rambling. Fearing outsiders would hear and it would be embarrassing, he quickly changed the subject and comforted him.

Outside the window, Madam You heard clearly. She whispered to Yindie, “Did you hear? This is Lady Xing’s own brother complaining about his own sister. If full brothers are like this, no wonder the servants below are so snobbish.”

She wanted to listen more, but inside the gambling table also stopped to drink. Someone asked, “Who made Great Uncle angry just now? We did not hear clearly. Tell us and let us judge.”

Xing Dequan told how the wine boys had neglected the loser and flattered the winner. A young profligate spoke without restraint. “Then he had reason to be angry. Great Uncle may have lost, but he only lost silver. He did not lose anything else. Why should he be slighted?” As soon as he finished, the whole room roared with laughter. Xing Dequan laughed so hard he spat rice everywhere.

Madam You outside spat quietly and cursed to herself, “Listen to these shameless wretches. After a few cups of yellow wine they talk all sorts of nonsense. If they drink more, who knows what unbearable things they will say.” She turned and went back to remove her makeup and rest.

At the fourth watch, Jia Zhen finally broke up the gambling and went to Peifeng’s room for the night.

The next morning a servant reported that watermelons and mooncakes were ready and waiting to be distributed. Jia Zhen told Peifeng, “Ask your mistress to see to the distribution. I have other business.” Peifeng told Madam You, who had to arrange for servants to deliver them one by one.

After a while Peifeng came again. “The master asks whether you are going out today. Our family is still in mourning, so tomorrow on the fifteenth we cannot celebrate formally. Tonight we may have a simple gathering, eat melon and mooncakes, and drink a little to mark the festival.”

Madam You said, “I do not want to go out. Li Wan in the Rong Mansion is ill again, and Wang Xifeng is bedridden. If I do not go over to look after things, there will be no mistress in charge there. Besides, there is much to do. How could I have the heart to enjoy the festival?”

Peifeng said, “The master says he has already sent away the outside guests today. They will not come again until the sixteenth. He insists that you come back for the banquet.”

Madam You smiled. “He invites me, but I have no feast to invite him to in return.”

Peifeng smiled and went back. Before long she returned. “The master says he invites you to dinner too. He asks you to come back as early as you can. I will go with you.”

Madam You said, “In that case, I will finish breakfast quickly and go over.”

Peifeng said, “The master is eating breakfast in the outer room. You may eat by yourself, Mistress.”

Madam You asked, “Who is outside today?”

Peifeng said, “I heard two people have just come from Nanjing. I do not know exactly who.”

As she spoke, Jia Rong’s wife finished dressing and came to pay her respects. Soon breakfast was set. Madam You took the seat of honor, and Jia Rong’s wife sat below to keep her company. After breakfast, Madam You changed clothes and went again to the Rong Mansion. She did not return to the Ning Mansion until night.

Jia Zhen indeed prepared a rich feast. Pigs and sheep were killed, and there were countless dishes and fruits. The banquet was set in Congregation of Green Hall in the Garden of Gather Fragrance, with splendid furnishings. He brought his wife, concubines, and maids. First they ate, then drank wine and enjoyed the moon.

At the first watch the moonlight was clear, and the ground seemed paved with silver. Jia Zhen wanted to play drinking games. Madam You called Peifeng and the other three concubines to join the table and sit below, guessing fingers and drinking. Jia Zhen was somewhat drunk and in high spirits. He had a purple bamboo flute brought and told Peifeng to play it while Wenhua sang. The song was sweet and moving, intoxicating. After the song they continued the drinking games.

Near the third watch, Jia Zhen was eight parts drunk. Everyone was adding clothes, drinking tea, and changing cups when suddenly a long sigh came from under the courtyard wall. Everyone heard it clearly and felt their hair stand on end, filled with terror. Jia Zhen shouted sternly, “Who is there?” He called several times, but no one answered.

Madam You said, “Perhaps it is a servant outside the wall.”

Jia Zhen scolded, “Nonsense! There are no servants’ quarters around the wall. On the other side of the wall is the Jia ancestral hall. How could anyone be there?”

As he spoke, a gust of wind swept over the courtyard wall. Faintly they heard the sound of doors opening and closing in the ancestral hall. A chill filled the air, much colder than before. The moonlight grew dim and pale, no longer bright. Everyone was terrified. Jia Zhen sobered up more than half. He was better able to keep up appearances than the others, but he too was frightened and had no more desire for pleasure. He sat a little while and then went back to his room.

The next day was the fifteenth of the eighth month. Early in the morning Jia Zhen led his sons and nephews to open the ancestral hall and sacrifice according to the rules. He examined every part of the hall carefully. Everything was intact, with no trace of anything strange. Jia Zhen comforted himself that he had been drunk and imagined it, and did not mention the strange event again. After the sacrifice, the hall doors were closed and locked.

After dinner, Jia Zhen and his wife went to the Rong Mansion. Jia She and Jia Zheng were chatting and laughing in the old lady’s room. Jia Lian, Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan stood nearby attending. Jia Zhen came and greeted each in turn. After a few words, the old lady told him to sit. Jia Zhen sat sideways on a small stool near the door, not daring to relax.

The old lady asked with a smile, “How has Baoyu been doing with his archery lately?”

Jia Zhen quickly rose and replied, “He has improved greatly. His posture is good, and his strength in drawing the bow has increased a lot.”

The old lady said, “That is enough. Do not strain too hard, or he may injure himself.” Jia Zhen agreed repeatedly.

The old lady said, “The mooncakes you sent yesterday were delicious. The watermelons looked good outside, but when cut open they were only fair.”

Jia Zhen smiled. “The mooncakes were made by a new pastry cook. I tasted them and found them good, so I dared to offer them to you. In past years the watermelons were all good. I do not know why they are not this year.”

Jia Zheng said, “Probably because there was too much rain this year.”

The old lady smiled. “The moon has risen. Let us go and offer incense.” She leaned on Baoyu’s shoulder and led everyone to Grand View Garden.

The main gate of Grand View Garden was wide open, hung with fine horn lanterns. On the terrace of Hall of Shaded Grace tall incense was lit, and offerings of melon, fruit, and mooncakes were set out. Lady Xing and the other ladies were already waiting there. The moonlight was bright, the lanterns brilliant, and incense smoke curled in the air. It was a splendid scene. Prayer mats and brocade cushions were laid on the ground. The old lady washed her hands, offered incense, and worshipped. Everyone followed and bowed.

The old lady said, “The best place to enjoy the moon is on the hill.” She told everyone to set the banquet in the hall at the top of the hill. Servants hurried to arrange tables and chairs. The old lady first drank tea and chatted in Hall of Shaded Grace. Soon a servant reported everything was ready. The old lady was helped up the hill. Lady Wang and the others feared the stone steps were slippery with moss and urged her to take a bamboo sedan chair.

The old lady said, “The mountain path is often swept. It is broad and smooth. It is good to stretch my limbs.” So Jia She and Jia Zheng led the way. Two old women carried horn lanterns. Faithful, Amber, and Madam You supported her closely. Lady Xing and the others followed. They walked slowly up more than a hundred steps along the path and reached the open hall at the top, called Convex Green Villa.

On the terrace before the hall, round tables and stools were set out, meaning reunion. Large screens divided the area in two. The old lady sat at the head in the center. On the left were Jia She, Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, and Jia Rong in order. On the right were Jia Zheng, Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan. They sat in a circle, filling only half the seats; the other half remained empty.

The old lady sighed. “Usually I do not feel how few we are, but today I see the family is truly not many. I remember Mid-Autumn Festivals in the past, with thirty or forty men and women—how lively! Now there are only these few. If we invite younger relatives from other families, they have their own reunions and it is not convenient to summon them. Bring the girls of the family and seat them on the other side of the screen.”

So servants went behind the screen and invited Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun. Jia Lian and Baoyu rose and yielded. The girls sat first, and then the men took their seats below in order.

The old lady had osmanthus branches brought. She told the serving women to beat a drum behind the screen while everyone passed the osmanthus. When the drum stopped, whoever held the flower had to drink a cup and tell a joke.

The game began with the old lady and passed from hand to hand. In the second round the drum stopped on Jia Zheng. He had to drink. The younger brothers and sisters secretly nudged one another, all smiling and waiting for a joke. It was rare to see Jia Zheng tell a joke, and the old lady was pleased.

Just as he was about to speak, the old lady smiled again. “If it is not good and does not make us laugh, you must still be fined.”

Jia Zheng smiled. “I have prepared one. If it is not funny, I will accept the penalty.”

He said, “Once there was a man who was very afraid of his wife. On the Mid-Autumn Festival he went out to buy things and was dragged by friends to drink at their house. He got drunk and slept there. The next day he woke full of regret and went home to apologize. His wife was washing her feet. She said, ‘If you want my forgiveness, lick my feet.’ The man had to do it, and was so disgusted he wanted to vomit. His wife was angry and wanted to beat him, scolding him for being frivolous and disrespectful. The man quickly knelt and explained, ‘It is not that your feet are dirty, Mistress. It is that I drank too much yellow wine yesterday and ate too much mooncake filling, so my mouth tastes sour.’”

The old lady and everyone laughed heartily. Jia Zheng poured a cup of wine and offered it to the old lady. The old lady teased, “Bring some strong wine quickly to rinse your mouth, so you are not smoked out by the joke.” Everyone laughed again.

The drum was beaten again, and the flower stopped at Baoyu. Baoyu saw his father was present and felt uneasy. He thought: If I tell a joke and no one laughs, I will be said to have no wit. If I am funny, I will be criticized for being glib. Better to decline.

So he stood and said, “I cannot tell jokes. Please let me take another penalty.”

Jia Zheng said, “Then write a poem on the theme of autumn, here and now. If it is good, there will be a reward. If not, tomorrow you will be punished.”

The old lady quickly intervened. “We are playing drinking games. Why suddenly ask for a poem?”

Jia Zheng said, “He can write poems.” The old lady did not stop him and had paper and brush brought.

Jia Zheng instructed, “Do not pile up flowery words like ice, jade, crystal, or silver. You must have your own idea. Let us see what talent you have after these years.”

Baoyu was pleased. He at once composed four lines and wrote them out for Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng read them and nodded silently. The old lady watched his expression and knew they were not bad. She asked, “How is it?”

Jia Zheng, wanting to please the old lady, said, “It is not easy for him. Only he will not study properly, and the style is not lofty enough.”

The old lady said, “That is already very good. He is still young. How can you expect him to be a great talent? He should be rewarded and encouraged, so he will be more willing to work hard later.”

Jia Zheng nodded and told an old nurse to fetch two fans brought from Hainan from his study as a reward. Baoyu kowtowed and returned to his seat. The game continued.

Jia Lan saw Baoyu rewarded for a poem and also rose to write one and hand it to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng read it and was delighted. He read it aloud to the old lady, who was also pleased, and told Jia Zheng to reward Jia Lan as well. Everyone returned to their seats and continued the drinking game.

This time the drum stopped with the flower in Jia She’s hand. Jia She drank and told a joke. “Once there was a family whose son was very filial. His mother was ill, so he called an old woman who knew acupuncture. She did not understand medicine and said it was heart fire, and that acupuncture would cure it. The son was alarmed. ‘If the heart is pricked with an iron needle, the person will die. How can you needle the heart?’ The old woman answered, ‘I will not needle the heart. I will needle the ribs.’ The son asked, ‘The ribs are so far from the heart. How can that cure it?’ The old woman said, ‘It does not matter. In this world, most parents are partial.’”

Everyone laughed. The old lady only managed half a cup, then after a moment smiled and mocked herself. “I should ask that old woman to needle me too.”

Jia She immediately realized he had spoken carelessly and offended the old lady. He quickly rose, offered wine, and changed the subject. The old lady did not want to pursue it and continued the flower-passing game.

Unexpectedly this time the flower stopped at Jia Huan. Jia Huan had recently made a little progress in his studies, but like Baoyu he did not love serious lessons. He liked poetry and preferred strange themes of ghosts and gods. Having just seen Baoyu rewarded for a poem, he was eager to try, but had feared Jia Zheng. Now it was his turn. He at once asked for paper and brush and wrote a quatrain, handing it to Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng read it and found the ideas strange, with a dislike for study hidden between the lines. He was displeased and criticized, “No wonder they are brothers. Their literary style is both unorthodox. In future neither will keep to the rules and both will become good-for-nothings. The ancients had the phrase ‘the two difficulties.’ You two brothers may also be called ‘the two difficulties’—only your difficulty is the difficulty of being disciplined. The elder thinks himself a romantic talent like Wen Tingyun, and the younger thinks himself the reincarnation of Cao Tang.” Jia She and the others laughed.

Jia She took the poem and read it carefully. He praised it again and again. “This poem has spirit. In a family like ours, there is no need to study all night like poor scholars and pass the examinations to succeed. Our sons only need to read a little and understand principle. When it is time for office, office will come. Why bury oneself in books until one becomes a pedant? I like this poem. It has the air of a hereditary noble house.”

He turned and ordered servants to bring many antiques and playthings as rewards for Jia Huan. He patted Jia Huan’s head and smiled. “In future write in this style. This is the bearing our noble house should have. The hereditary title will most likely fall to you.”

Jia Zheng quickly stopped him. “He only wrote a few careless lines. Why speak of such a great matter as inheriting the title?”

Then he poured wine, and they played drinking games a while longer. The old lady said, “You men may go out now. There are still guests outside. Do not neglect them. It is already the second watch. You may leave the table, and let me and the girls enjoy ourselves a little longer before resting early.”

Jia She and the others stopped the games. Everyone raised a cup and drank together, then withdrew with their sons and nephews. To know what happened next, read the next chapter.