A Quiet, Virtuous Maiden Grieves and Writes “Five Beauties”; A Dissolute Young Gentleman Leaves Behind a Nine-Dragon Pendant

Jia Rong saw that everything at home had been properly arranged, so he hurried back to the temple and reported to Jia Zhen. That night they assigned duties to the stewards and servants, and prepared all the banners, carrying poles, and other things needed for the funeral. They chose the fourth day, at the hour of mao, to bring the coffin into the city, and sent word to all their friends and relatives. On that day the funeral was magnificent, and guests gathered like clouds. From Iron Threshold Temple to the Ning Mansion, no fewer than tens of thousands of people lined the road to watch. Some sighed; some envied. There were also a few half-educated scholars who quoted the saying, “A funeral should be marked by frugality and grief rather than lavish display,” and all along the road opinions differed. It was late afternoon when they arrived, and the coffin was placed in the main hall. After the offerings and lamentations were over, friends and relatives gradually dispersed, leaving only members of the clan to receive and see off guests. Of close relatives, only Uncle Xing stayed behind. Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, bound by the rules of mourning, slept on straw mats and rested their heads on clods beside the coffin, enduring the hardships of filial grief. When the visitors had gone, they still found time to dally with the two younger You sisters. Baoyu also wore mourning at the Ning Mansion every day, and only when evening came and the crowd dispersed did he return to the garden. Xifeng was still unwell. Though she could not be there often, on days when sutras were chanted or relatives came to offer sacrifices, she struggled over to help Madam You manage things.

One day, after the morning offering, since the days were long and Jia Zhen and the others were weary from many days of strain, they dozed by the coffin. Baoyu, seeing no guests, thought of going home to see Daiyu. He went first back to Green Delights. Entering the gate, he found the courtyard silent and empty. Several old women and little maids were cooling off under the covered walk, some asleep, some sitting and nodding. Baoyu did not disturb them. Only Scribe saw him and hurried forward to lift the curtain. As she raised it, Parfumée came running out laughing and almost bumped into Baoyu. Seeing him, she stopped with a smile and said, “What are you doing here? Quick, stop Skybright for me—she wants to beat me.” Before she had finished, there was a clatter inside, as if something had been scattered all over the floor. Skybright came chasing out, scolding, “Where do you think you’re running, you little wretch? You lost and won’t take a beating. Baoyu isn’t home—who’s going to save you?” Baoyu quickly stepped in with a smile and said, “She’s young and doesn’t know how she offended you. For my sake, let her off.” Skybright had not expected Baoyu back just then. Seeing him, she could not help laughing. “Parfumée must be a fox spirit in disguise. Even a magic spell to summon gods and command generals couldn’t bring you back so fast.” She laughed again. “Even if you really summoned a god, I’m not afraid.” She tried to pull free and catch Parfumée, but Parfumée had already hidden behind Baoyu. Baoyu took Skybright by one hand and Parfumée by the other and led them inside. On the kang to the west, Musk, Autumn, Emerald, and Purple Silk were playing knucklebones for melon seeds. Parfumée had lost to Skybright and would not take her beating, so she ran out. Skybright, chasing her, had scattered the knucklebones from her bosom all over the floor. Baoyu said happily, “The days are so long. When I’m not here, I worry you’ll be lonely and sleep after meals till you make yourselves ill. It’s good to find something to play at and pass the time.” Not seeing Aroma, he asked, “Where’s your sister Aroma?” Skybright said, “Aroma? She’s more pious than ever. She’s sitting alone inside facing the wall. I haven’t been in for a while and don’t know what she’s doing—there’s not a sound. Go and see. Maybe she’s attained enlightenment by now.”

Baoyu laughed and went into the inner room. Aroma was sitting on the bed by the window, a gray silk cord in her hand, tying knots. Seeing Baoyu, she stood up quickly and said with a smile, “What has that Skybright been saying about me? I was in a hurry to finish this knot and had no time to fool around with them, so I told them, ‘Go and play. While the second master is away, I want to sit quietly and rest my spirits.’ And she made up all that nonsense about ‘facing the wall’ and ‘meditating.’ Just wait till I tear her mouth.” Baoyu sat down close to Aroma and watched her tie the knot. “The days are so long,” he said. “You ought to rest, or play with them, or go and see Cousin Lin. It’s so hot—what’s the use of doing that?” Aroma said, “I saw that the fan-case you carry is the one made when Elder Cousin Rong’s wife died in the East Mansion. That black thing can only be used when there’s a summer funeral in the clan or among friends. It comes out once or twice a year; ordinarily there’s no call to make another. Now that there’s trouble in that mansion, you’ll be going over every day and will need it, so I’m hurrying to make a new one. When I’ve finished the knots, I’ll change it for the old one. You may not care about such things, but if the old lady comes back and sees it, she’ll say we’re lazy and don’t pay attention even to your clothes and accessories.” Baoyu smiled. “It’s good of you to think of it. But don’t rush too much. Getting overheated would be serious.” Parfumée brought a cup of tea that had been cooled in fresh well water. Because Baoyu was delicate, he did not use ice even in summer; the teapot was simply set in a basin of newly drawn well water, changed often, to give a cool taste. Baoyu drank half a cup from Parfumée’s hand and said to Aroma, “When I came, I told Tealeaf that if any important guest comes to Cousin Zhen’s, he’s to send word at once. If nothing important happens, I won’t go over.” He left the room, turned back to Emerald and the others, and said, “If anything comes up, look for me at Miss Lin’s.” Then he went straight to Bamboo Lodge to see Daiyu.

As he crossed the bridge over the Winding Stream, he saw Snowgoose leading two old women, their hands full of water chestnuts, lotus root, melons, and fruit. “Your mistress never eats such cold things,” Baoyu said. “What are these for? Is she inviting some young lady?” Snowgoose smiled. “I’ll tell you, but you mustn’t tell her.” Baoyu agreed. Snowgoose told the two women, “Take the fruit to Sister Nightingale first. If she asks for me, say I’m just coming.” The women went off. Snowgoose said, “Our young lady has only felt a little better these last two days. After lunch today, Miss Tanchun came to invite her to see Mrs. Lian, but she didn’t go. Then she began to feel sad for some reason, and wrote a lot—I don’t know whether it was poetry or something else. When she sent me for the fruit, she also told Nightingale to clear the little lute table in her room, move it to the middle of the outer room, and put the dragon-patterned incense burner on it, to be ready when the fruit came. If she were inviting someone, she wouldn’t have had the burner set out so early. If she meant to burn incense, she usually has fresh flowers, fruit, and quinces in her room, and doesn’t much like scenting her clothes. Even if she burns incense, she does it where she usually sits or lies. It’s not as if the old women had made the room smell bad and she wanted to fumigate it. I really don’t know why.” She hurried off.

Baoyu lowered his head and thought: From what Snowgoose says, there must be a reason. If she were merely sitting with one of the sisters, she wouldn’t have set out offerings first. Perhaps it is the anniversary of her father’s or mother’s death; but I remember that every year on those dates the old lady sends special dishes for Little Lin to make private offerings, and those dates are past. It must be the seventh month, the season of melons and fruit, when every family makes autumn offerings at the graves. Cousin Lin, moved by the season, is making a private offering in her room, following the Book of Rites’ idea of presenting seasonal foods in spring and autumn. But if I go now and see her grief, I’ll try to comfort her, and I fear it will only make her more miserable. If I don’t go, I fear she will grieve too much with no one to stop her. Either way she may fall ill. Better to go first to Sister Xifeng’s, sit there a little, and then return. If I find Cousin Lin grieving, I can find a way to comfort her—not letting her grieve too much, giving her sorrow some outlet, and keeping her from sinking into depression and illness. He left the garden and went straight to Xifeng’s.

Several stewardesses had just finished reporting and were dispersing. Xifeng was leaning against the door, talking to Patience. Seeing Baoyu, she smiled. “You’re back. I just told Lin Zhixiao’s wife to send word to your page that if nothing important is happening, you should take the chance to come back and rest. Besides, it’s crowded over there—how can you stand the smells? I didn’t expect you’d come just now.” Baoyu smiled. “Thank you for thinking of me, sister. I had nothing to do today, and I saw you haven’t been to that mansion for two days, so I came back to see whether you were better.” Xifeng said, “It’s neither better nor worse—three good days and two bad. With the old lady and Lady Wang away, these old nannies—oh, not one of them is peaceable. Every day it’s either fighting or quarreling. They’ve even had two or three cases of gambling and theft. Tanchun helps, but she’s an unmarried girl. Some things she can be told, some she can’t. I just have to struggle along. I can’t get a moment’s peace. Never mind getting better—I only hope it doesn’t get worse.” Baoyu said, “Even so, you must take care of yourself and worry less.” After a little more chat, he took leave and went back toward the garden.

Entering the gate of Bamboo Lodge, he saw the incense burner still trailing smoke and the remains of a libation. Nightingale was directing people to move the table back and put away the things. Baoyu knew the offering was over. He went in. Daiyu was lying facing the wall, frail and ill, as if she could not bear up. Nightingale quickly announced, “Master Bao is here.” Daiyu slowly got up and invited him to sit with a smile. Baoyu said, “Are you much better these two days, cousin? You look calmer, but why are you sad again?” Daiyu said, “What nonsense. I was quite well—when was I sad?” Baoyu smiled. “There are still tear stains on your face. How can you deceive me? I only think that since you are often ill, you should take things easily and not indulge in useless grief. If you ruin your health, it would make me—” Here he felt the rest was hard to say and stopped. Though he and Daiyu had grown up together and were kindred spirits, willing even to live and die together, he had only understood it in his heart and had never spoken it aloud. Besides, Daiyu was sensitive, and he often offended her by speaking rashly. Today he had come to comfort her, but again he had spoken too rashly and could not go on. He grew anxious, afraid she would be angry. Then he thought his heart was truly good, and his anxiety turned to sorrow; tears rolled down. Daiyu had at first been annoyed that he spoke without weighing his words, but seeing this, she was moved. She was always given to weeping, and now she too could not help silently weeping with him.

Nightingale came in with tea, thinking they had been quarreling again. “The young lady has just begun to feel better, and now Master Bao is provoking her again. What is going on?” Baoyu wiped his tears and smiled. “Who would dare provoke her?” He got up casually and strolled about. He noticed a corner of paper peeping from under the inkstone and could not resist picking it up. Daiyu quickly rose to snatch it, but Baoyu had already tucked it into his bosom. “Good cousin, let me see it,” he begged. Daiyu said, “Whatever it is, you come and rummage through everything.” Just then Baochai arrived. “What does Brother Bao want to see?” she asked with a smile. Baoyu had not yet seen the writing and did not know how Daiyu felt, so he did not dare answer carelessly; he only looked at Daiyu and smiled. Daiyu invited Baochai to sit and said, “I have seen in ancient histories many talented and beautiful women whose fates were admirable, enviable, pitiable, or lamentable. Today after lunch I had nothing to do, so I chose several and dashed off a few poems to express my feelings. Tanchun happened to come and ask me to go with her to see Sister Xifeng, but I was lazy and did not go. I had just finished five poems when I grew sleepy and left them there. I did not expect the second master to come and see them. It does not really matter if he sees them, but I dislike his habit of writing things out for others to see.” Baoyu said quickly, “When have I ever shown them to anyone? Yesterday’s fan—I liked those poems on the white crab apple blossoms, so I copied them in small regular script for my own convenience in reading. I know very well that poems and writings from a lady’s chamber should not be casually shown outside. Since you spoke of it, I have never taken them out of the garden.” Baochai said, “Little Lin is right to worry. Once you write them on a fan, you may forget and take it to your study, where the secretaries might see it and ask who wrote it. If it spreads, it will not be good. As the old saying goes, ‘A woman’s lack of talent is her virtue.’ The important thing is chastity and quietness; needlework comes second. Poetry is only a game in the inner chambers—one may know it or not. Girls from families like ours do not need a reputation for talent.” She turned to Daiyu with a smile. “It’s all right to show me. Just don’t let Brother Bao take it out.” Daiyu smiled. “If you say that, then you needn’t look either.” She pointed at Baoyu. “He has already snatched it.” Baoyu then took it from his bosom, and they all bent over it together. It read:

Xi Shi

A generation’s beauty followed the waves away;
In the Wu palace they vainly remembered her home.
Do not laugh at the village girl who imitated her frown—
White-haired by the stream, she still washes silk.

Yu Ji

Heartbroken, the black steed neighs in the night wind;
Yu, with deep grief, faces the double-pupiled king.
Qing and Peng were willing to be minced in later years—
How much better to drink the sword in the Chu tent.

Mingfei

A beauty astonishing the world left the Han palace;
From ancient times to now, fair faces have had thin fates.
Even if the emperor slighted her beauty,
Why give the power of life and death to a painter?

Green Pearl

Tiles and bright pearls were cast away alike;
Did Captain Shi ever truly value her charms?
It was all due to stubborn fortune made in a former life,
And she had one who died with her to comfort his loneliness.

Red Duster

With a deep bow and bold talk, his manner was unlike the rest;
The beauty had eyes to know a hero in distress.
In the Yang mansion, a living corpse with lingering breath—
How could it fetter a woman of true heroic mettle?

Baoyu read them and praised them without end. “You have written exactly five, cousin,” he said. “Why not call them ‘Five Beauties’?” Without waiting for her consent, he took up a brush and wrote the title after them. Baochai said, “In writing poems, no matter the subject, the important thing is to overturn the ancients’ ideas. If you merely follow in their footsteps, even if the words are polished, you have already fallen to the second rank and it cannot be called good poetry. For example, there are many poems on Zhaojun. Some mourn her, some resent Mao Yanshou, some criticize Emperor Han for having a painter portray beauties instead of worthy ministers. They differ. Later Wang Anshi wrote, ‘Her manner could never be painted; Mao Yanshou was wrongly killed.’ Ouyang Xiu wrote, ‘If what he saw with his eyes and heard with his ears was like this, how could he control the barbarians ten thousand li away?’ Both poems express their own views and are unlike others. Today Little Lin’s five poems may be called novel in conception and fresh in style.”

She was about to say more when someone announced, “Second Master Lian is back. Just now word came from outside that he went to the East Mansion and has been there a while; he should be back soon.” Baoyu rose quickly and went to wait inside the main gate. Presently Jia Lian rode up and dismounted. Baoyu knelt to him and asked after the old lady, Lady Wang, and the others, then greeted Jia Lian. They went in hand in hand. Li Wan, Xifeng, Baochai, Daiyu, Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun were already waiting in the central hall. After greetings, Jia Lian said, “The old lady will arrive early tomorrow morning. She has been well all the way. Today she sent me ahead to see how things are at home. At the fifth watch tomorrow I must go out of the city to meet her.” They asked about the journey. Since Jia Lian had come from far, they took leave and let him go to his room to rest. We need not describe the night.

The next day, around mealtime, the old lady and Lady Wang arrived. After greetings and a cup of tea, they went with Lady Wang and the others to the Ning Mansion. Wailing rose to heaven inside. Jia She and Jia Lian had come over as soon as they brought the old lady home. When the old lady entered, Jia She and Jia Lian led the clan out weeping to meet her. Father and son supported her, one on each side, and led her to the coffin. Jia Zhen and Jia Rong knelt and threw themselves into her arms, weeping bitterly. The old lady, in her old age, seeing this, embraced them and wept without stopping. Jia She and Jia Lian urged her to stop, and at last she did. She went to the right of the coffin and saw Madam You and her daughter-in-law; again they clung together and wept bitterly. After the weeping, everyone came forward to greet her. Jia Zhen, seeing the old lady had just returned and had not rested, and fearing she would grieve too much sitting there, begged her repeatedly to go home. Lady Wang and the others also urged her. At last she returned. As expected, an old person cannot bear such strain and grief. That night she felt her head heavy, eyes sore, nose blocked, and voice thick. A doctor was sent for at once to feel her pulse and prescribe medicine. They were busy half the night and a day. Fortunately the illness was dispersed quickly and did not go deeper. By the third watch she perspired a little, her pulse was calm, and her body cool. Everyone was relieved. The next day she continued taking medicine.

Several days later came the day of Jia Jing’s funeral procession. The old lady was not yet fully recovered, so Baoyu was kept at home to attend her. Xifeng, still not well, did not go either. The rest—Jia She, Jia Lian, Lady Xing, Lady Wang, and the others—led the servants and maids to escort the coffin to Iron Threshold Temple and returned at evening. Jia Zhen, Madam You, and Jia Rong remained at the temple to keep vigil. After a hundred days they would take the coffin back to their native place. The household was left in the care of Old Mrs. You and the second and third sisters.

Now Jia Lian had long heard of the You sisters and regretted never having met them. Recently, because Jia Jing’s coffin was kept at home, he had become well acquainted with the second and third sisters, and could not restrain his lust. Knowing they had long had scandalous relations with Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, he seized the chance to flirt in every way, making eyes at them. The third sister responded coolly, but the second was very willing. Yet there were too many eyes; he could find no way to act. Jia Lian was also afraid Jia Zhen would be jealous, so he did not dare make a move. The two could only understand each other in secret. After the funeral, there were few people in Jia Zhen’s house. Apart from Old Mrs. You, the second and third sisters, and a few rough maids and old women living in the main rooms, the concubines and maids had all gone to the temple. The outside servants only patrolled at night and guarded the gate by day. In the daytime, with nothing to do, they did not go inside. So Jia Lian wanted to take advantage. Pretending to keep Jia Zhen company, he stayed at the temple, and often, on the pretext of managing Jia Zhen’s household affairs, came to the Ning Mansion to dally with the second sister.

One day Yu Lu, a young steward, came to report to Jia Zhen: “For the funeral shed, carrying poles, mourning cloth, and bearers’ clothes, we spent one thousand one hundred and ten taels. After paying five hundred, six hundred and ten taels remain. Yesterday the two tradesmen came to press for payment. I have come for your instructions.” Jia Zhen said, “Just draw it from the treasury. Why ask me?” Yu Lu said, “I already went to the treasury yesterday, but since the old master’s death there have been many withdrawals. What remains must be kept for the hundred-day mass and temple expenses. It cannot be paid now. So I came to ask if you could pay from your private funds or borrow from somewhere, and instruct me what to do.” Jia Zhen laughed. “You still think it’s as before, with silver lying idle. Borrow it from anywhere and pay them.” Yu Lu smiled. “For one or two hundred taels I could manage, but five or six hundred I cannot raise at once.” Jia Zhen thought and said to Jia Rong, “Go and ask your mother. After the funeral yesterday, the Zhen family of Jiangnan sent five hundred taels for funeral offerings. It has not been entered in the treasury. Get it from her and pay him.” Jia Rong agreed, went to Madam You, then returned to his father: “Two hundred taels of that silver have already been used. The remaining three hundred were sent home and given to Old Mrs. You to keep.” Jia Zhen said, “In that case, take him with you and get it from your grandmother to pay him. And see whether anything is happening at home, and ask after your two aunts. Yu Lu can borrow the rest to make up the amount.”

Jia Rong and Yu Lu agreed and were about to withdraw when Jia Lian came in. Yu Lu stepped forward to greet him. Jia Lian asked what was happening, and Jia Zhen told him. Jia Lian thought, “This is a good chance to go to the Ning Mansion and find the second sister.” He said, “What is so difficult? Why borrow from others? Yesterday I received a sum of silver that I haven’t used. Let me make up the difference. Wouldn’t that be simpler?” Jia Zhen said, “Very good. Tell Jia Rong and have him fetch it.” Jia Lian said quickly, “I must fetch it myself. Besides, I haven’t been home for days and should pay my respects to the old lady, my father, and Lady Wang. I’ll also check at my elder brother’s to see whether the servants have been causing trouble, and pay my respects to Old Mrs. You.” Jia Zhen smiled. “I hate to trouble you.” Jia Lian smiled too. “We are brothers. What does it matter?” Jia Zhen told Jia Rong, “Go with your uncle. Pay your respects to the old lady, my father, and Lady Wang. Say your father and mother send their respects. Ask whether the old lady is quite recovered and whether she is still taking medicine.” Jia Rong agreed. He followed Jia Lian out, took a few pages, mounted, and rode into the city.

On the road, uncle and nephew chatted. Jia Lian had an ulterior motive and brought up Second Sister You, praising her beauty, her character, her easy manners, her gentle speech—everything about her was admirable and lovable. “Everyone says your aunt is good,” he said, “but in my opinion she cannot compare with your second aunt.” Jia Rong guessed his meaning and smiled. “If you love her so much, Uncle, let me be your matchmaker and arrange for her to be your second wife. What do you say?” Jia Lian laughed. “Are you joking or serious?” Jia Rong said, “I am serious.” Jia Lian laughed again. “It would be wonderful. But I fear your aunt will not agree, and your grandmother may not be willing. Besides, I hear your second aunt is already betrothed.” Jia Rong said, “None of that matters. My second and third aunts are not my father’s own sisters; they came with my grandmother. I hear that when my grandmother was with her first husband, she betrothed my second aunt to the Zhang family, who were imperial estate managers, before the children were born. Later the Zhangs lost a lawsuit, their fortunes declined, and my grandmother married again. For more than ten years the two families have had no contact. My grandmother often complains and wants to break the engagement. My father also wants to marry my second aunt elsewhere. When a good family is found, we need only send someone to find the Zhangs, give them a dozen taels or so, and have them write a document canceling the betrothal. The Zhangs are desperately poor; seeing silver, how could they refuse? And they know a family like ours—they wouldn’t dare refuse. If a man like you wants her as a second wife, I guarantee my grandmother and father will agree. The only difficulty is your wife.” Jia Lian was so delighted that he could only grin foolishly. Jia Rong thought a little more and smiled. “If you have the courage, Uncle, follow my plan and you need not worry. It will only cost a little money.” Jia Lian said quickly, “What plan? Tell me. I’ll agree to anything.” Jia Rong said, “When you go home, don’t breathe a word. I will explain to my father and settle it with my grandmother. Then buy a house behind our mansion and furnish it, and assign a couple of households of servants to wait on her. Choose a day and marry her quietly, without anyone knowing. Tell the servants not to leak the news. Your wife lives inside a deep mansion—how would she find out? You live in both places. After a year or so, even if it comes out, you will only get a scolding from your father. You can say your wife has never borne children, and that you did this outside for the sake of an heir. Even your wife, seeing the rice is already cooked, will have to accept it. Then beg the old lady, and everything will be settled.” As the saying goes, “Lust clouds the mind.” Jia Lian, greedy for Second Sister’s beauty, heard Jia Rong’s speech as a perfect plan and put aside all considerations—that he was in mourning, that he would be taking a wife while his first wife lived, that his father was strict and his wife jealous. He did not know that Jia Rong had no good intentions. Jia Rong had long been involved with his aunt, but with Jia Zhen in the way he could not have his way. If Jia Lian married her and lived outside, then when Jia Lian was away, Jia Rong could go and dally with her. Jia Lian never thought of this. He thanked Jia Rong, saying, “Good nephew, if you can arrange it, I’ll buy you two incomparable maids.” By then they had reached the Ning Mansion. Jia Rong said, “Go in, Uncle, get the silver from my grandmother, and give it to Yu Lu. I’ll first go and pay my respects to the old lady.” Jia Lian nodded with a smile. “Don’t tell the old lady you came with me.” Jia Rong said, “I know.” He whispered in Jia Lian’s ear, “If you see my second aunt today, don’t be in too much of a hurry. If trouble starts, it will be harder later.” Jia Lian laughed. “Stop talking nonsense. Go on. I’ll wait here.” Jia Rong went to pay his respects to the old lady.

Jia Lian entered the Ning Mansion. The chief steward and servants greeted him and escorted him to the hall. He asked a few questions by way of duty, then dismissed them and went inside alone. Jia Lian and Jia Zhen had always been close, and as brothers there was no need for formality; he never waited to be announced. He went to the main room. An old woman on the veranda lifted the curtain for him. Inside, on the southern kang, Second Sister You was doing needlework with two maids. Old Mrs. You and Third Sister were not there. Jia Lian went up to greet her. Second Sister smiled and invited him to sit, taking a place by the eastern partition. Jia Lian gave her the seat of honor, exchanged a few pleasantries, then asked with a smile, “Where are Old Mrs. You and Third Sister? Why aren’t they here?” Second Sister smiled. “They had something to do in the back and will be here soon.” The maids had gone to fetch tea, leaving no one nearby. Jia Lian kept glancing at Second Sister. She lowered her head, smiling, and paid no attention. Jia Lian did not dare be too forward. Seeing her toying with a handkerchief tied to a betel-nut pouch, he casually felt at his waist and said, “I forgot to bring my betel-nut pouch. Sister, give me a piece of your betel nut.” Second Sister said, “I have betel nut, but I never give mine to anyone.” Jia Lian smiled and moved closer to take it. Afraid someone might see and it would look improper, Second Sister quickly smiled and tossed it over. Jia Lian caught it, poured out the contents, picked out half a piece she had chewed and put it in his mouth, then pocketed the rest. He was about to return the pouch himself when two maids brought tea. Jia Lian took the tea and, while drinking, secretly untied a Han jade nine-dragon pendant from his waist, tied it to his handkerchief, and when the maids turned their heads, tossed it to her. Second Sister did not pick it up but pretended not to see, sitting and drinking tea. Then the curtain rustled, and Old Mrs. You and Third Sister came in with two little maids. Jia Lian signaled to Second Sister to pick up the pendant, but she ignored him. Not knowing what she meant, Jia Lian grew anxious. He went to greet Old Mrs. You and Third Sister. When he looked back at Second Sister, she was smiling as if nothing had happened. He looked for the handkerchief—it was gone. He was relieved.

They all sat down and chatted. Jia Lian said, “My elder sister-in-law says that a package of silver was given to Old Mrs. You to keep the other day. Today I need to repay someone, and my elder brother told me to fetch it. I also wanted to see whether all is well at home.” Old Mrs. You quickly sent Second Sister for the key to get the silver. Jia Lian said, “I also wanted to pay my respects to you, madam, and see your two daughters. You look well, but the two sisters have been put to inconvenience in our house.” Old Mrs. You smiled. “We are all close kin. What are you saying? They would be staying at home or here. To tell you the truth, Second Master, since my husband died our family has been very hard pressed. We have depended entirely on your family’s help. Now that your family has this great mourning, we can do nothing but keep an eye on the house. How could that be an inconvenience?” Just then Second Sister brought the silver and gave it to Old Mrs. You, who handed it to Jia Lian. Jia Lian called a little maid to fetch an old woman and told her, “Give this to Yu Lu. Tell him to take it over there and wait for me.” The old woman went out.

They heard Jia Rong’s voice in the courtyard. He came in, greeted his grandmother and aunts, and said to Jia Lian with a smile, “Just now my father asked for you, Uncle. He said he had something for you to do. He was going to send someone to the temple to call you, but I told him you were coming. He told me to tell you to hurry if I met you on the road.” Jia Lian rose to go. Then he heard Jia Rong say to his grandmother, “That time I spoke to you, Grandmother, about the husband my father wanted to find for Second Aunt—he is about the same looks and build as my uncle here. What do you think, Grandmother?” As he spoke, he secretly pointed at Jia Lian and Second Sister and pursed his lips. Second Sister was too embarrassed to speak. Third Sister, half smiling, half angry, scolded, “You wicked little monkey! You’ve lost all shame! One of these days I’ll tear your mouth!” She chased him. Jia Rong ran out laughing. Jia Lian also took leave with a smile. In the hall he told the servants not to gamble or drink, then secretly begged Jia Rong to go back quickly and speak to his father. He took Yu Lu with him, made up the silver, and gave it to him. Then he went to pay his respects to Jia She and the old lady.

When Jia Rong saw Yu Lu go with Jia Lian to fetch the silver, he had nothing to do, so he went back inside and teased his two aunts for a while before leaving. That evening at the temple he reported to Jia Zhen, “The silver has been given to Yu Lu. The old lady is much better and has stopped taking medicine.” Then he took the occasion to mention Jia Lian’s desire to take Second Sister You as a second wife. He explained how Jia Lian would buy a house outside and keep it from Xifeng. “For now it is only because he has no heir. Since Second Aunt is someone we know, a marriage within the family is better than one arranged with strangers. So Uncle Lian begged me repeatedly to speak to you, Father.” He did not say it was his own idea. Jia Zhen thought and smiled. “Actually it is not a bad idea. I only do not know whether your second aunt is willing. Tomorrow go and talk to your grandmother. Have her ask your second aunt. Then we can decide.” He gave Jia Rong a set speech and went to tell Madam You. Madam You knew it was improper and tried hard to stop it. But Jia Zhen had made up his mind, and she had always obeyed him. Besides, Second Sister was not her full sister, so she could not interfere too much. She had to let them do as they pleased.

The next morning Jia Rong went back into the city to see his grandmother and told her his father’s wishes. He added many things: how good a man Jia Lian was; that Xifeng was ill and could not recover; that for now Jia Lian would buy a house outside and live there; after a year or so, when Xifeng died, he would bring Second Aunt in as his principal wife; how his father would arrange the betrothal and Jia Lian would marry her; how Old Mrs. You would be brought to live in comfort; and how Third Aunt’s betrothal would also be arranged. He painted such a glowing picture that Old Mrs. You could not refuse. Besides, they had always depended on Jia Zhen’s help, and now Jia Zhen was arranging the match. The dowry would not have to be provided by them, and Jia Lian was a young gentleman, ten times better than Zhang Hua. She hurried to discuss it with Second Sister. Second Sister was of a fickle nature. She had already been improper with her brother-in-law, and she often resented having been betrothed to Zhang Hua, which had left her without a place in life. Now she saw Jia Lian was interested, and her brother-in-law was arranging the marriage. Why should she refuse? She nodded. Old Mrs. You told Jia Rong, and Jia Rong told his father.

The next day Jia Lian was invited to the temple, and Jia Zhen told him face to face that Old Mrs. You had agreed. Jia Lian was overjoyed and thanked Jia Zhen and Jia Rong endlessly. The two then discussed buying a house, having jewelry made, and preparing a dowry and new furniture and bedding for Second Sister. Within a few days everything was arranged. They bought a house of more than twenty rooms in Little Flower Branch Lane, about two li behind the Ning and Rong Mansions. They also bought two little maids. Jia Zhen gave them a married servant couple named Bao Er and his wife to serve Second Sister when she came. Hearing of such a good opportunity, how could Bao Er and his wife refuse? They also sent for Zhang Hua and his father and forced them to write a document canceling the betrothal with Old Mrs. You. Zhang Hua’s grandfather had been an imperial estate manager, and after his death Zhang Hua’s father held the same post. Because he was friendly with Old Mrs. You’s former husband, Zhang Hua and Second Sister You had been betrothed before birth. Later the Zhangs lost a lawsuit, their property declined, and they could hardly feed themselves, let alone marry a wife. Old Mrs. You had married again, and for more than ten years the families had no contact. Now the Jia servants summoned them and forced them to break the engagement. Though unwilling, they feared the power of Jia Zhen and the others and did not dare refuse. They wrote a document canceling the betrothal. Old Mrs. You gave them twenty taels, and the engagement was ended.

When Jia Lian and the others saw that everything was ready, they chose the third day of the month, an auspicious day, for welcoming Second Sister as his bride. To know what followed, read the next chapter.