Drunkard Ni the Golden Ape Scorns Money and Champions Chivalry; A Lovelorn Maiden Drops Her Handkerchief and Awakens Longing

Lin Daiyu was lost in tender thoughts and melancholy when someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind and asked, "What are you doing here all alone?" Startled, she turned and saw it was none other than Xiangling. "You silly girl, you frightened me! Where have you come from?" Xiangling giggled, "I was looking for our young lady but couldn't find her. Your Zijuan is looking for you too—she said Second Mistress Lian sent some tea for you. Let's go back and sit down." She took Daiyu's hand and led her back to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Sure enough, Xifeng had sent two small bottles of newly arrived fine tea. Daiyu and Xiangling sat down; they had nothing important to discuss—just idle chat about embroidery and needlework, a game of chess, a page or two of reading, and then Xiangling left.

Now Baoyu, having been fetched back by Xiren, found Yuanyang lounging on the bed looking at Xiren's needlework. Seeing him, she said, "Where have you been? The Dowager's been waiting for you—she wants you to go and pay your respects to the elder master. Hurry up and change." Xiren went into the inner room to fetch his clothes. Baoyu sat on the edge of the bed, taking off his shoes while waiting for his boots, and glanced over at Yuanyang. She was wearing a pale rose silk jacket, a dark blue satin vest, a white crepe sash, her face turned away as she bent over the embroidery, a flowered collar around her neck. Baoyu leaned close to her neck and sniffed the scent of her powder, rubbing her skin—which was as smooth and white as Xiren's—and clinging to her like a child, he said with a shameless smile, "Dear sister, give me some of that rouge from your lips." Yuanyang called out, "Xiren, come and see! You'll be with him your whole life—don't you ever try to stop him?" Xiren came out with the clothes and said to Baoyu, "I've tried to advise you again and again, but you never change. What do you really want? If you keep on like this, you won't be able to stay here much longer." She hurried him into his clothes and went with him and Yuanyang to see the Dowager.

After seeing the Dowager, Baoyu went outside where the horses were ready. Just as he was about to mount, Jia Lian returned from paying his respects and was dismounting. They exchanged a few words. Then a young man stepped forward and said, "My respects to you, Uncle Bao." Baoyu saw a long-faced, tall, slender youth of about eighteen or nineteen, refined and handsome, very familiar-looking, though he couldn't recall which branch of the family he belonged to or his name. Jia Lian laughed, "What's wrong with you—don't you know him? This is Yun'er, son of Fifth Sister in the back corridor." Baoyu laughed, "Of course, of course—how could I forget?" He asked after the boy's mother and what he was doing now. Jia Yun pointed at Jia Lian, "I came to have a word with Second Uncle." Baoyu laughed, "You've grown much more impressive than before—you look like you could be my son." Jia Lian laughed, "Shameless! He's four or five years older than you—your son, indeed!" Baoyu asked, "How old are you?" Jia Yun said, "Eighteen."

Now Jia Yun was a clever, quick-witted fellow. Hearing this, he smiled, "As the saying goes, 'A baby in a cradle may be an uncle, while a greybeard may be a nephew.' Though I'm older, a hill can't be higher than the sun. Since my father died, no one has looked after me or taught me. If Uncle Bao doesn't think me too stupid to be his nephew, it would be my great fortune." Jia Lian laughed, "You hear that? Taking on a son isn't so easy!" He went inside. Baoyu laughed, "Tomorrow, if you're free, come and find me—don't hang around with those other fellows. I'm busy now. Tomorrow, come to my study and we'll talk—I'll take you into the garden." With that he mounted his horse, and his pages rode with him to Jia She's quarters.

He found Jia She had only a slight chill. He first delivered the Dowager's greetings, then paid his own respects. Jia She rose to acknowledge the Dowager's message, then called someone to take Baoyu inside to see his wife. Baoyu withdrew and went to the main hall, where Lady Xing rose at his entrance, first inquiring after the Dowager, then receiving Baoyu's greetings. She made him sit on the kang beside her, asked after the others, and ordered tea. He had barely drunk half a cup when Jia Cong came in to greet him. Lady Xing said, "Where have you been, you little monkey? Has your nurse died? She hasn't even cleaned you up—you look a mess, not like a proper young scholar at all!"

Just then Jia Huan and Jia Lan arrived, paid their respects, and Lady Xing had them sit on chairs. Jia Huan, seeing Baoyu sitting on the same cushion as Lady Xing, who fussed over him, grew uncomfortable. After a short while, he signalled to Jia Lan that they should leave. Jia Lan had to comply, and they rose to take their leave. Baoyu also rose to go with them, but Lady Xing said, "Stay—I have something to say to you." He sat down again. She said to the other two, "Give my regards to your mothers. The young ladies are all here and have made my head spin—I won't keep you for dinner today." Jia Huan and the others left.

Baoyu asked, "So the girls are here? Why don't I see them?" Lady Xing said, "They sat for a while, then went off to one of the back rooms." Baoyu said, "You said you had something to tell me?" Lady Xing laughed, "It was nothing—just to keep you here to eat with your cousins. And I have a little toy for you to take back." They chatted until suppertime, when tables were set and dishes laid out. Mother and daughters ate together. After the meal, Baoyu took leave of Jia She and went home with the girls, paid his respects to the Dowager and Lady Wang, and retired to his own room.

Now Jia Yun went in to see Jia Lian and asked if there was any work available. Jia Lian told him, "Something did come up the other day, but your aunt insisted I give it to Jia Qin. He promised me that when the planting job in the garden comes up, I'll give it to you for sure." Jia Yun thought for a moment, then said, "In that case, I'll wait. Don't mention to Aunt that I came asking today—I'll bring it up when the time comes." Jia Lian said, "Why mention her? I haven't the time for such talk. I have to go to Xingyi tomorrow at the fifth watch and must be back the same day. Wait till after the evening watch the day after tomorrow to come for news—if you come earlier, I'll be busy." He went to the back to change.

Jia Yun left the Rong Mansion and walked home, thinking. An idea came to him, and he went straight to his uncle Bu Shiren's house. Bu Shiren ran a spice shop and had just come home. Seeing Jia Yun, he greeted him and asked what brought him at this hour. Jia Yun said, "I need your help, Uncle. I need some camphor and musk for a matter—could you let me have four taels of each on credit? I'll pay in full by the eighth month." Bu Shiren sneered, "Don't talk to me about credit. The other day a clerk in our shop let a relative have a few taels' worth of goods on credit, and they still haven't paid. We all had to make up the loss and signed an agreement never to give credit to relatives again. Anyone who does has to pay a twenty-tael forfeit. Besides, these goods are scarce now—even if you had cash, you might not find them at our little shop; you'd have to go elsewhere. That's one. Two: you have no real business—you'd just waste them. You always say I find fault with you. Young man, you should know better—get some ambition, earn some money, feed and clothe yourself properly, and I'd be happy to see it."

Jia Yun laughed, "Uncle talks as if it's all so simple. When my father died, I was too young to know anything. Later I heard my mother say that you uncles helped with the funeral arrangements. Don't you know—did I squander a single acre or two rooms of property? Even a clever woman can't cook without rice. What am I to do? If I were like others, I'd pester you day and night for a few measures of rice and beans—then you'd be at a loss."

Bu Shiren said, "My boy, if I had any, of course I'd give it. I tell your aunt every day—I only worry that you lack foresight. If you had any get-up-and-go, you'd go to the main mansion. Even if you can't see the masters, you could get friendly with their stewards and get some work. The other day I went out of town and ran into Old Fourth from your third branch, riding a big donkey with five carts and forty or fifty monks and Taoists, heading to the family temple. Wasn't it his ability that got him that job?" Jia Yun, tired of his uncle's rambling, rose to leave. Bu Shiren said, "Why rush off? Have a meal first." Before he finished, his wife said, "You're being silly again. You said there was no rice, and I had to buy half a catty of flour to make noodles. Now you're playing the big spender—do you want to starve your nephew?" Bu Shiren said, "Buy another half-catty." His wife called to their daughter, "Yinjie, go to Mrs. Wang across the way and ask to borrow twenty or thirty coppers—I'll repay them tomorrow." But Jia Yun had already said "Don't bother" and was gone.

Leaving his uncle's house in a huff, Jia Yun walked home, head down, brooding. He bumped into a drunkard. Startled, he heard the man curse, "Damn your eyes! Are you blind?" He tried to dodge, but the drunk grabbed him. Looking up, it was his neighbour Ni the Second. Ni was a street tough who lent money at high interest, hung around gambling dens, and was always fighting or drinking. He had just collected interest and was drunk. Angry at the collision, he raised his fist. But the man said, "Hold on, Second—it was my fault." Recognising the voice, Ni squinted and saw it was Jia Yun. He let go and staggered, "So it's Master Jia—my fault, my fault. Where are you heading?" Jia Yun said, "Don't ask—I just had a run-in for nothing." Ni said, "No problem—tell me what's wrong, I'll settle it. In these streets, whoever crosses my neighbour Ni the Golden Ape will be sorry!"

Jia Yun said, "Don't get angry—let me tell you." He related the story about Bu Shiren. Ni was furious, "If he weren't your uncle, I'd curse him—it makes me sick! But never mind—I have some silver here. Use it for whatever you need. But one thing—we've been neighbours for years, and though I'm known for lending money, you've never asked me for a penny. Maybe you think I'm too low-class for you, or maybe you're afraid of my high interest. If it's the interest, I won't charge any—no IOU needed. If you're ashamed of me, then I won't lend it." He pulled out a roll of silver from his bag.

Jia Yun thought to himself, "Ni may be a ruffian, but he's generous and chivalrous in his own way. If I refuse, he'll take offence and maybe make trouble. Better borrow it and repay double later." He smiled, "Second, you're a real man. I've always thought of asking you, but I see you associate with bold, capable types—I didn't think you'd bother with useless fellows like me. Since you're so generous, how dare I refuse? I'll write a proper IOU when I get home." Ni laughed, "What smooth talk! If we're 'associates,' why would I lend to you for profit? If I lend for interest, we're not associates. Enough talk. If you think well of me, here's fifteen taels and change—use it to buy what you need. If you want to write an IOU, give me back the silver and I'll lend it to someone with prospects." Jia Yun took the silver and laughed, "Then I won't write one—don't get worked up." Ni laughed, "That's better. It's late—I won't offer you tea or wine. I have business elsewhere. Go home. Tell my family to lock up early and sleep. I won't be back. If anything urgent, have my daughter come to the horse dealer Short-Leg Wang's place tomorrow morning." With that, he staggered off.

Jia Yun, having unexpectedly met with this stroke of luck, was surprised. Ni was indeed a man of character, but he worried that in his drunken generosity he might later demand double. He wavered, then thought, "Never mind—when I get the job, I can repay him double." He went to a money-changer's, weighed the silver: fifteen taels, three qian, four fen, two li. Seeing Ni hadn't cheated him, he was pleased. He took the silver home, first stopping at Ni's to pass on his message, then entering his own house. His mother was spinning thread on the kang. She asked where he'd been all day. Fearing she'd be upset, he didn't mention his uncle, only said he'd been waiting at the west mansion for Second Uncle Lian. He asked if she'd eaten; she had, and there was food left for him. A maid brought it. It was already lamplight; after eating, he rested.

The next morning, he washed, went to the south gate to buy camphor and musk, and headed for the Rong Mansion. Hearing that Jia Lian was out, he went to the back. At Jia Lian's gate, several pages were sweeping the courtyard. Zhou Rui's wife came out, telling them to stop, "The mistress is coming out." Jia Yun approached and asked, "Where is Second Aunt going?" She said, "The Dowager called her—probably about fabric."

Just then Xifeng emerged with her entourage. Jia Yun knew she loved flattery and display, so he pressed his hands together and stepped forward respectfully to greet her. Xifeng didn't even glance at him, walking on, only asking after his mother, "Why doesn't she come visit?" Jia Yun said, "She's not well, but she often thinks of you and wants to come." Xifeng laughed, "You're lying—if I hadn't mentioned her, you wouldn't have said you missed me." Jia Yun said, "May lightning strike me if I dare lie to an elder! Just last night I was talking about you—how frail you look, how much you have to do, and how amazing it is that you manage everything so perfectly. Anyone less capable would have worn themselves out long ago."

Xifeng beamed and stopped, "Why are you and your mother gossiping about me?" Jia Yun said, "There's a reason. A friend of mine, who has some money and runs a spice shop, was recently appointed a sub-prefect and is going to Yunnan with his whole family. Since he's closing the shop, he's been settling accounts—giving away what he can, selling cheap, and distributing the finer goods to friends. He gave me some camphor and musk. I talked it over with my mother—if I sold it, I wouldn't get the original price, and who would buy such expensive stuff? Even rich families use only small amounts. If I gave it away, no one really deserves it, and it would lose half its value selling second-hand. Then I thought of you—I've seen you spend big on these things in past years. And this year, with the Imperial Consort and the Dragon Boat Festival coming up, such goods must be ten times more valuable. So I decided only you would be worthy of such a gift—it would be a shame to waste them on anyone else." He held up a brocade box.

Xifeng, just then needing to buy spices and medicine for the Dragon Boat Festival, was both pleased and flattered. She told Feng'er, "Take what Master Yun has brought and deliver it to Ping'er at home." She added, "You're a sensible fellow—no wonder your uncle often mentions you, saying you're clear-headed and thoughtful." Jia Yun, seeing the opening, stepped closer and asked, "So Uncle has mentioned me?" Xifeng was about to tell him about the job but stopped herself, thinking, "If I tell him now, he'll think I'm just rewarding him for this gift. Better not mention it today." So she said nothing about the planting job, made some small talk, and went to the Dowager's. Jia Yun couldn't bring it up either, so he left.

Remembering that Baoyu had told him to come to the outer study, Jia Yun ate and returned to the Qixia Study outside the ceremonial gate of the Dowager's quarters. There he found Beiming and Chu Yao playing chess and squabbling over a rook. A few other pages were poking under the eaves for sparrows. Jia Yun stamped his foot, "You little monkeys—I'm here!" They scattered. He sat down and asked, "Has Second Master Bao come down?" Beiming said, "He hasn't been down all day. What do you want? I'll go and see for you." He left.

Jia Yun looked at the calligraphy and antiques. After about as long as a meal, Beiming hadn't returned, and the other pages had wandered off. While he fretted, a sweet young voice called from the door, "Brother!" He looked out and saw a maid of sixteen or seventeen, slender and neat. Seeing him, she drew back. Just then Beiming returned, saw her at the door, and said, "Good! I couldn't get a message through." Jia Yun came out and asked how it went. Beiming said, "Waited all day—no one came. This is one of Second Master Bao's maids. Good sister, take a message in—say Master Yun from the corridor is here."

Hearing he was of the family, the maid didn't retreat. She gave Jia Yun a long, hard look. He said, "Never mind 'corridor'—just say Yun'er is here." After a pause, she said with a cool smile, "If you ask me, you'd best go home and come back tomorrow. I'll tell him tonight when I get the chance." Beiming said, "What's this?" She said, "He didn't take his nap today, so he'll have supper early and won't come down tonight. Do you want to wait here hungry? Better go home and come back tomorrow. Even if someone takes the message, it's useless—he'll just say yes and forget." Jia Yun, struck by her quick, sharp speech, wanted to ask her name but couldn't ask about one of Baoyu's maids, so he said, "You're right—I'll come back tomorrow." He left. Beiming called, "I'll get some tea," but Jia Yun waved, "No tea—I have things to do." He glanced back and saw the maid still standing there.

Jia Yun went home. The next day, arriving at the main gate, he happened to meet Xifeng going out to pay her respects. She had just boarded her carriage when she saw him and called him over. Through the window she laughed, "Yun'er, you dared to fool me! So that's why you sent those gifts—you had a favour to ask. Your uncle told me yesterday you'd been to him." Jia Yun laughed, "Don't mention that, Aunt—I regretted it as soon as I did it. If I'd known, I'd have come straight to you. Who knew Uncle couldn't manage it?" Xifeng laughed, "So that's why it fell through and you came to me." Jia Yun said, "You wrong me—I had no such intention. If I did, I'd have begged you yesterday. But now that you know, I have no choice but to throw myself on your mercy."

Xifeng sneered, "You took the long way round—I don't know what to say. If you'd told me earlier, it would have been done long ago—such a small matter, yet dragged on so long. The garden needs planting, and I was trying to think of someone—if you'd come earlier, it would have been settled." Jia Yun laughed, "Then give it to me tomorrow." Xifeng was silent for a while, then said, "I don't think that's the best one. Wait till the firework job for New Year's comes along." Jia Yun said, "Dear Aunt, give me this one first—then if I do well, give me that one." Xifeng laughed, "You know how to play the long game. Very well—if your uncle hadn't mentioned you, I wouldn't bother. I'll be here after lunch—come for the silver at noon, and start planting the day after." She gave orders and drove off.

Jia Yun was overjoyed. He went to the Qixia Study to find Baoyu, but learned he'd gone to the Prince of Beijing's mansion. He sat idly until noon, then asked if Xifeng had returned. He wrote a requisition and took it to get the tally. Caiming came out, took the slip in, approved the amount, and handed him the tally. Jia Yun saw the approval for two hundred taels—his delight knew no bounds. He took it to the treasury, exchanged it for the silver, and went home to tell his mother. They were both pleased. Early the next day, he paid Ni back in full. Seeing Jia Yun had the money, Ni took it without comment. Jia Yun then took fifty taels and went to the florist Fang Chun to buy trees.

Now Baoyu, having told Jia Yun to come and talk the other day, had spoken in the casual manner of a rich young master, and soon forgot. That evening, returning from the Prince of Beijing's, he paid his respects to the Dowager and Lady Wang, went to his room to change, and was about to bathe. Xiren had gone to Baochai's to make tassels; Qiowen and Bihun had gone to fetch hot water; Tanyun had been called away for her mother's birthday; Sheyue was still ill at home. The other maids—those for rough work—were off playing with their friends. In that moment, Baoyu was alone. When he called for tea, two or three old nannies came, but he waved them off. So he got up to pour it himself. A voice behind said, "Mind you don't scald yourself—let me." A maid took the cup. Startled, he asked, "Where were you? You frightened me." She handed him the tea, "I was in the back courtyard and came in through the back door—didn't you hear my steps?" Baoyu, sipping tea, looked at her closely: she wore half-new clothes, with glossy black hair in a bun, a long face, slender figure—quite neat and pretty.

He smiled, "Are you one of my maids?" She said yes. "Then why don't I recognize you?" She gave a cold smile, "There are many you don't recognize—not just me. I never serve tea, water, or carry things—never do the visible work—so how would you know me?" Baoyu asked, "Why don't you do the visible work?" She said, "That's hard to say. But I do have a message: yesterday someone called Yun'er came looking for you. I thought you were busy, so I told Beiming to tell him to come early today, but you went to the north mansion."

Just then Qiowen and Bihun came in laughing, lugging a bucket of water between them, splashing as they struggled. The maid went to take it. Seeing her—it was Xiaohong—they were surprised. They put down the water and came in, looking around—no one else but Baoyu. They were annoyed, but prepared his bath. After Baoyu undressed, they shut the door and went to the next room, demanding to know what Xiaohong had been doing in there. She said, "I wasn't in the room—I'd lost my handkerchief and was looking for it in the back. Then Second Master wanted tea, but none of you were there, so I poured it—and then you came." Qiowen spat in her face, "Shameless creature! We told you to fetch water, but you said you were busy, leaving it to us—while you took the easy job! You're climbing up fast. Do you think you're better than us? Look in the mirror—do you deserve to serve tea?" Bihun added, "From now on, let's not bother with tea, water, or errands—let her do it all." Qiowen said, "Why not just leave and let her have this room?" As they squabbled, an old nanny came with a message from Xifeng: "Tomorrow someone's bringing a gardener to plant trees—make sure nothing's hanging outside, and stay off the rockery—it's all screened off." Qiowen asked, "Who's supervising?" The nanny said, "Master Yun from the back corridor." Qiowen and Bihun didn't know him, but Xiaohong understood—it was the man she'd seen at the study.

This maid's family name was Lin, her personal name Hongyu (Red Jade). But since both Lin Daiyu and Baoyu had "yu" (jade) in their names, it was taboo, so everyone called her Xiaohong (Little Red). She was sixteen, from a family of old servants in the Rong Mansion; her parents managed various properties. She had been assigned to the Crimson Delight Court when the garden was opened. It had been quiet, but when the household moved in, Baoyu had taken this residence. Though an ordinary maid, Hongyu had a certain beauty and secretly aspired to rise in the world, hoping to catch Baoyu's eye. But Baoyu's personal attendants were all sharp and fierce, and she could find no opening. Today she had got a chance, but only to be harshly abused by Qiowen and Bihun. Half her hopes were dashed. Gloomily she lay on her bed, brooding, when she heard the old nanny mention Jia Yun—and felt a stir. Tossing and turning, she heard a low voice outside: "Hongyu, I've found your handkerchief." She went out—it was Jia Yun. Blushing, she asked, "Where did you find it, Master?" He smiled, "Come here and I'll tell you." He reached for her. Hongyu turned to run, but tripped over the threshold. To know what happened, read the next chapter.