Jia Ershe secretly married You Eryi and You Sanjie, thinking of marrying Liu Erlang

Jia Lian, Jia Zhen, and Jia Rong discussed everything and made all the arrangements. On the second day of the month, they first sent Old Mrs. You and Third Sister You to the newly bought house. When Old Mrs. You saw it, although it was not as luxurious as Jia Rong had described, it was fully furnished, and mother and daughter were both pleased.

Bao Er and his wife were especially attentive and affectionate to them. To Old Mrs. You they called her “Old Mother” and “Old Mrs. You”; to Third Sister You they said “Third Aunt” and “Auntie.” Before dawn the next day, at the fifth watch, a plain-colored sedan chair brought Second Sister You over. Incense, candles, paper money, paper horses for offerings, bedding, wine, and food—everything had been prepared. Soon Jia Lian arrived in a small sedan, dressed in plain clothes. The two bowed to Heaven and Earth and burned paper money and paper horses. When Old Mrs. You saw Second Sister You dressed in new clothes, completely unlike her usual self at home, she was delighted and helped her into the bridal chamber. That night Jia Lian and Second Sister You were tender and passionate; there is no need to describe all their intimacies.

The more Jia Lian looked at Second Sister You, the more he loved her, and he wished to please her in every way. He ordered Bao Er and the other servants not to gossip, and to address Second Sister You as “Madam.” He called her that himself, almost putting his lawful wife, Xifeng, out of his mind. When he occasionally returned to the Rong Mansion, he made the excuse that he was detained by business at the Ning Mansion. Xifeng knew he was close to Jia Zhen and assumed they were discussing family affairs, so she did not suspect. Though there were many servants in the household, no one wanted to meddle. Even the idle gossips curried favor with Jia Lian, hoping to gain some advantage, and no one would breathe a word. In his heart Jia Lian was endlessly grateful to Jia Zhen.

Jia Lian set aside five taels of silver each month for household expenses there. When he did not come, Old Mrs. You and her two daughters ate together; when Jia Lian came, husband and wife ate alone, and Old Mrs. You and Third Sister ate in their own rooms. Jia Lian also moved all the private savings he had accumulated over the years and gave them to Second Sister You for safekeeping. At night, in bed, he told her everything about Xifeng’s conduct, hoping that when Xifeng died he could bring Second Sister openly into the mansion. Second Sister was naturally delighted. In this way the dozen or so people lived peacefully and comfortably.

Two months passed quickly. One day, after finishing a memorial service at Iron Threshold Temple, Jia Zhen returned home in the evening. He had been thinking of the sister-in-law he had not seen for some time and decided to visit her. He first sent a page to see whether Jia Lian was there. The page reported that Jia Lian had not come. Jia Zhen was delighted. He dismissed all his attendants, keeping only two trusted young pages to lead his horse. At lamp-lighting time he quietly arrived at the little courtyard. The pages tied the horse in the stable and withdrew to the servants’ quarters.

Jia Zhen went inside. The lamps had just been lit. He first greeted Old Mrs. You and Third Sister You, then Second Sister You came out to see him. Jia Zhen still called her “Second Aunt.” They drank tea and chatted a little. Jia Zhen said with a smile, “How do you like me as a matchmaker? If you had let such a man slip by, you could search with a lantern and never find another. In a few days your sister, Madam You, will bring gifts to visit you.” While he spoke, Second Sister You had already had wine and food prepared. The door was closed; they were all family, so there was no need for excessive formality.

Bao Er came to pay his respects. Jia Zhen warned him, “You still have some conscience, which is why I sent you here to serve. You will be given important duties later. Do not drink outside and cause trouble. I will reward you. If anything is lacking here, report directly to me. Jia Lian has many affairs and the household is crowded and disorderly. We brothers are not like other people.” Bao Er quickly agreed. “This servant understands. If I do not serve with all my heart, I do not deserve to keep my head.” Jia Zhen nodded.

The four sat around drinking. Second Sister You understood the atmosphere and took her mother aside. “I feel a little uneasy, Mother. Come with me to another room.” Old Mrs. You understood her meaning and left with her. Only a few little maids remained. Then Jia Zhen and Third Sister You drew close together, their behavior frivolous and unrestrained. The little maids could not bear to watch and slipped away one by one, leaving the two to flirt and laugh as they pleased, and no one knew what they did.

Outside, Jia Zhen’s two pages were drinking in the kitchen with Bao Er, while Bao Er’s wife bustled about the stove. Suddenly the two maids ran over, clamoring for wine. Bao Er said, “You should be inside serving. Instead you sneak out. If you are called and no one answers, there will be trouble.” Bao Er’s wife cursed him at once. “You muddle-headed fool! Just drink your wine! When you are drunk, roll over and lie down. Whether anyone is called to serve is none of your business! I will take the blame. No disaster will fall on your head.”

Bao Er had gotten this post through his wife and now depended on her in every way. He usually did nothing but seek petty gains and drink, and asked no questions about anything else. Jia Lian and the others seldom punished him. So he treated his wife like an elder, obeyed her in everything, and when he had drunk his fill he fell asleep. Bao Er’s wife drank with the maids and pages, deliberately winning them over so as to make a good impression on Jia Zhen.

The four were drinking merrily when there was a knock at the door. Bao Er’s wife hurried to open it and saw Jia Lian dismounting. She whispered to him, “Master Zhen is in the west courtyard.” Hearing this, Jia Lian went straight to the bedroom. He found Second Sister You and Old Mrs. You there. Seeing him return, they both looked embarrassed and uncomfortable. Jia Lian pretended to know nothing and only said, “Bring wine quickly. Let us have a couple of cups and rest. I am exhausted today.”

Second Sister You hurried forward with a smile, helped him off with his clothes, served tea, and asked after his comfort. Jia Lian was secretly pleased. Bao Er’s wife brought wine and food, and husband and wife drank together. Old Mrs. You did not drink; she went to her room to sleep, leaving a little maid to attend them.

Jia Lian’s trusted page Long’er went to stable his horse. He saw that another horse was already in the stable. Looking closely, he recognized it as Jia Zhen’s and understood most of what was going on. He went to the kitchen. Xi’er and Shou’er were sitting there drinking. Seeing him, they exchanged knowing smiles and teased, “You’ve come at the right time. We missed the chance to ride back with the master, and we are afraid of being punished for breaking the night curfew, so we plan to stay here for the night.”

Long’er laughed. “There are plenty of places on the kang. Sleep as you like. I was sent by the Second Master to deliver the monthly allowance. I have already given it to Madam, and I am not going back tonight either.” Xi’er urged him to sit and drink. Long’er had just raised his cup when a commotion broke out in the stable—two horses were feeding at the same trough, neither giving way, kicking and biting each other. The men hastily put down their cups and ran out to shout and calm them. With difficulty they separated the horses and tied them securely, then returned to the kitchen.

Bao Er’s wife said with a smile, “You three can rest here. Tea and water are ready. I’m going now.” She closed the door and left. After a few cups, Xi’er was drunk, his eyes glazed. Long’er and Shou’er closed the door and saw Xi’er lying stiff on the kang. They pushed him. “Good brother, sleep properly. Don’t take all the comfort for yourself and leave us two miserable.” Xi’er, drunk, muttered coarse words. Seeing he was completely drunk, Long’er and Shou’er said no more, blew out the lamp, and lay down as best they could.

Inside, Second Sister You heard the noise in the stable and felt uneasy. She kept making conversation with Jia Lian. After a few cups, Jia Lian’s desire was stirred. He ordered the wine and food removed, closed the door, and undressed. Second Sister You wore a close-fitting scarlet jacket, her hair loosely coiled, her face shy and lovely, more dazzling than by day. Jia Lian embraced her and said with a smile, “Everyone says my shrew of a wife is a beauty. In my eyes she is not fit to carry your shoes.”

Second Sister You sighed. “My looks may be passable, but my reputation is stained. Perhaps it would have been better to be plain.” Jia Lian did not understand and asked what she meant. Tears fell from Second Sister You’s eyes. “Do not take me for a fool. I know everything. We have been husband and wife for two months. Though it is a short time, I can see you are not a muddle-headed man. In life I am yours; in death I am your ghost. Since we are husband and wife and I have entrusted my whole life to you, I dare not hide anything. I have found a home, but what will become of my sister? As things are now, this cannot last. We must plan a long-term way out early.”

Jia Lian laughed. “Set your mind at ease. I am not a jealous or petty man. I know all about the past. You need not be afraid. You feel embarrassed because of the brother-and-sister relationship. Better let me break through this awkwardness.” He rose and went to the west courtyard. Through the window he saw the lamps bright, and Jia Zhen was drinking and enjoying himself with Third Sister You.

Jia Lian pushed the door open and went in. “Elder Brother is here. Your younger brother has come to pay his respects.” Jia Zhen was greatly embarrassed and had nothing to say. He rose and offered him a seat. Jia Lian’s face was full of smiles. “Why be so formal? We brothers have always been close. You have taken such trouble for me that I could not repay you even if I were ground to powder. If you keep a distance from me, how can I be at ease? I hope you will treat me as before. Otherwise, I would rather have no heir at all than dare set foot here again.” He was about to kneel. Jia Zhen hurriedly raised him up. “Since you say so, brother, I will do as you wish.”

Jia Lian at once ordered wine and asked Jia Zhen to drink with him. He called to Third Sister You, “Come here and drink a cup with your brother-in-law.” Jia Zhen laughed. “Second Brother is the free and easy one. I will drain this cup.” He tossed it off.

But Third Sister You stood up on the kang and pointed at Jia Lian with a cold laugh. “Don’t try your smooth talk on me. When you boil plain noodles in clear water, I can see exactly how you eat them. It is like a shadow play on stage—everyone knows what is going on, so don’t poke through the thin paper. Don’t let lard grease cloud your heart, and don’t think I do not know what goes on in your mansion. Now, for a few stinking coppers, you two brothers treat us sisters like prostitutes for your pleasure. You have miscalculated!

“I also know your wife is a fierce, difficult woman. Now you have tricked my sister into becoming your secret second wife—a shameful thing that cannot be spoken of. I would really like to meet that Madam Xifeng and see how many heads and hands she has. If we can all live in peace, fine. But if she deliberately makes trouble and humiliates us, I have my ways. First I will dig out both your hearts and livers, then I will fight that shrew to the death, and only then will I have lived up to the name of Third Aunt You! What is there to fear in drinking? I will drink!”

She took up the wine pot, poured herself a cup, drank half, then put her arm around Jia Lian’s neck and tried to pour the rest into his mouth. Jia Lian was so startled that most of his drunkenness vanished. Jia Zhen had never expected Third Sister You to be so fierce and unyielding. These brothers, who had spent years in the pleasure quarters, were left speechless by a young woman’s words.

Third Sister You called out, “Bring my sister here. If we are to enjoy ourselves, let the four of us enjoy ourselves together. As the saying goes, rich water should not flow into an outsider’s field. You are brothers, we are sisters—we are not outsiders. Come along.” This made Second Sister You very embarrassed. Jia Zhen wanted to slip away, but Third Sister You would not let him. Only then did Jia Zhen feel full of regret. He had never imagined she had such a temperament. In Jia Lian’s presence, he no longer dared behave frivolously.

At that moment Third Sister You’s hair was loosely coiled, her scarlet jacket half open, revealing a leek-green bodice and snow-white skin. Below she wore green trousers and red embroidered shoes. Her small feet now lifted, now pressed together, with no trace of meekness or refinement. Her earrings swayed like a swing. In the lamplight her brows seemed veiled in green mist, her lips touched with vermilion. Her autumn-water eyes, after wine, held an even more alluring charm. In beauty and grace she far surpassed Second Sister You. Among all the women Jia Zhen and Jia Lian had seen, not one could compare with her dazzling, seductive charm.

The two men were stirred and shaken. They wanted to go forward and tease her, but were overawed by her fierce, seductive manner. The moment Third Sister You showed her edge, the brothers lost all manly spirit and could not utter a single firm word, reduced to mere drinkers and lechers. She talked boldly and laughed and mocked them as she pleased, as if she were the one toying with men rather than men trifling with her. When the wine was finished and her pleasure spent, she did not keep them. She drove them out and shut the door, sleeping alone.

After this, if the maids or serving women were the least bit remiss, Third Sister You would sharply scold Jia Lian, Jia Zhen, and Jia Rong, accusing them of deceiving a widowed mother and her helpless daughters. From then on Jia Zhen did not dare come often. Only when Third Sister You was in the mood and sent a page to summon him did he dare come. Once there, he had to do everything to please her.

Third Sister You was by nature fierce and unyielding. Relying on her outstanding beauty, she dressed deliberately to dazzle, assumed every kind of charm, and made men lose their heads—wanting to approach but not daring to, wanting to stay away but unable to. She took pleasure in this. Her mother and sister tried hard to advise her, but she said, “Sister, you are truly foolish. With looks like ours, to be defiled for nothing by those two spendthrift young lords would be truly pathetic. Besides, the Jia family has an extremely vicious woman. As long as she is kept in the dark, we can live in peace. If she ever finds out, she will never let it go. There will be a great scene, and no one can tell who will live or die. Better that I now make full use of them and toy with them, so that in the future I will not have suffered a stained name for nothing and regret it too late.”

Mother and daughter saw that they could not persuade her and gave up. In daily food and clothing Third Sister You was extremely particular. When she tired of silver ornaments she demanded gold; when she had pearls she wanted gems. Every meal had to have fat goose and duck. If anything displeased her, she would overturn the whole table. Even if a garment was new and whole, if it did not suit her she would take up scissors and cut it to pieces, tearing off a piece and cursing with each tear. In the end Jia Zhen and the others gained no advantage at all, but wasted a great deal of money.

Jia Lian stayed only in Second Sister You’s room, and gradually began to feel some regret. But Second Sister You was gentle and deeply affectionate. She truly looked on Jia Lian as her lifelong support and treated him with considerate care. In gentleness and humility, in discussing everything and being free of pride and jealousy, she was ten times better than Xifeng. In looks and conversation she was also somewhat superior to Xifeng. It was only that she had lost her chastity in the past and acquired a reputation for being “unclean,” so that even her good qualities were easily erased by others.

But Jia Lian said, “Who has no faults? It is enough to know them and change.” So he never mentioned her past and valued only her present virtue. The two were as inseparable as glue and lacquer, deeply devoted, vowing to stay together in life and death, and had long since put Xifeng and Patience out of their minds.

In bed, Second Sister You often urged Jia Lian, “Discuss it properly with Elder Brother Zhen and find a reliable, suitable family to marry Third Sister into. Keeping her here is not a long-term solution. Sooner or later it will cause great trouble. What then?”

Jia Lian replied, “I mentioned it to Elder Brother a few days ago, but he could not bear to part with her. I told him she is like a piece of hot fat mutton, or a beautiful rose—lovely but thorny. We cannot control her. The proper thing is to find her a good family and marry her off. But he hesitated and the matter was dropped. What can I do?”

Second Sister You said, “Do not worry. Tomorrow we will first sound out Third Sister. If she is willing, let her bring it up herself. When there is no other way, they will naturally arrange a marriage for her.” Jia Lian nodded, thinking this very reasonable.

The next day Second Sister You prepared wine and food, and Jia Lian did not go out. At noon they invited Third Sister You over, and Old Mrs. You sat at the table too. Third Sister You understood at once. After three rounds of wine, before her sister could speak, tears fell from her eyes. “Sister, you have set out wine today because you must have something to say. I am not a fool. There is no need to bring up again and again those shameful old matters. I know them all, and saying more is useless. Now you have a secure home, Mother has a place to stay, and I too should find a place for myself. That is the real business. But marriage is a lifelong matter, a matter for one’s whole life, not a child’s game. Now I am willing to settle down and behave, but I want to marry someone I truly love and approve of. If others choose for me, even if the man were richer than Shi Chong, more talented than Cao Zhi, and handsomer than Pan An, if I did not like him in my heart, my whole life would be wasted.”

Jia Lian laughed. “That is not difficult. Just tell us who he is, and we will provide the betrothal gifts and dowry. Mother need not trouble herself.” Third Sister You said with tears, “Sister knows in her heart. I do not need to say it plainly.” Jia Lian turned and pressed Second Sister You, but for the moment she could not think who it was. They all thought carefully. Jia Lian clapped his hands and laughed. “It must be that person! Her judgment is indeed good.” Second Sister You quickly asked who. Jia Lian laughed. “No one else could catch her eye. It must be Jia Baoyu.” Second Sister You and Old Mrs. You, hearing this, also thought it must be so.

Third Sister You spat in contempt. “Even if we were ten sisters, would we all have to marry you ten Jia brothers? Is there no good man in the world outside your Jia mansion?” Everyone was astonished. “If it is not Baoyu, then who is it?” Third Sister You smiled. “Do not look only at the people before you. Sister, think back five years and you will know.”

Just then Jia Lian’s trusted page Xing’er hurried in to report, “The master is urgently calling for the Second Master. I pretended that the Second Master had gone to the uncle’s house and came specially to report.” Jia Lian quickly asked, “Has anyone at home grown suspicious lately?” Xing’er replied, “I told Madam Xifeng that the Second Master is at the family temple with Master Zhen handling the hundred-day memorial affairs and probably cannot return for the time being.” Jia Lian hurriedly ordered his horse. Long’er went with him as he left in haste, leaving Xing’er behind to await orders.

Second Sister You brought two small dishes, took a large cup, poured wine, and told Xing’er to squat by the kang and drink. She drew him into casual talk about family matters. She asked Xifeng’s age and how fierce she was; the ages of the old lady and Lady Wang; how many young ladies there were in the mansion; and all sorts of family affairs.

Xing’er squatted by the kang with a grin, drinking as he told the You mother and daughters all about the Rong Mansion. “I work at the second gate. We have two shifts, four men each, eight in all. Some are Madam Xifeng’s trusted men, some are the Second Master’s. We do not dare provoke the Madam’s trusted men, but Madam Xifeng dares punish the Second Master’s men as she pleases.

“As for our Madam Xifeng, she is vicious at heart and sharp-tongued. Our Second Master is by nature a good man, but she suppresses him at every turn. It is Miss Patience by her side who is kindhearted. Though in name she stands on the Madam’s side, in secret she often helps the servants. When we servants make mistakes, Madam Xifeng never forgives easily, but if you beg Miss Patience, she can often make a great matter small. Now everyone in the mansion, from top to bottom, except the old lady and Lady Wang, hates her in their hearts, but they fear her and keep up appearances.

“She thinks everyone is beneath her and devotes herself to pleasing the old lady and Lady Wang. When she says one, no one dares say two. She scrapes and saves silver to win praise from her elders for managing the household, while the servants below suffer and she takes the credit. When there is profit, before anyone else can speak she seizes it. When something goes wrong, or when she herself is at fault, she shifts the blame to others and stirs up trouble on the side. Even her nominal mother-in-law, Lady Xing, dislikes her, saying she only climbs toward those above her, neglects her own duties, and meddles in other people’s business. If the old lady did not protect her, she would have been scolded into disgrace long ago.”

Second Sister You said with a smile, “You criticize her behind her back like this. Who knows what you will say about me later? My position is even lower than hers. I fear I will be talked about even more.”

Xing’er quickly knelt down. “Madam, do not say that. This servant would not dare go against his conscience. If we servants were fortunate enough for the Second Master to marry a kind person like you earlier, we would suffer fewer beatings and scoldings and would not have to live in constant fear. Now every page who follows the Second Master praises you behind your back for being generous and considerate to servants. We even hope the Second Master will transfer us to serve you.”

Second Sister You smiled. “Silly boy, get up. It was only a joke. Why be so frightened? I still plan to meet your Madam Xifeng one day.”

Xing’er waved his hands to stop her. “Madam, you must not! It would be best never to see her in your life. Her mouth is sweet as honey, but her heart hides malice. She is two-faced and three-edged; her face is all smiles while her foot secretly trips you. On the surface she is a warm fire, behind your back a sharp knife. She has every one of those faults. Even Third Aunt, with her sharp tongue, could not outtalk her. With your gentleness and goodness, how could you be her match?”

Second Sister You said, “If I treat her with courtesy, what can she do to me?”

Xing’er said, “This is not the drunken nonsense of this servant. Even if you yield in everything, when she sees that you are more beautiful than she and more loved by others, how would she let it go? Other people are merely jealous; she is a whole vat and jar of vinegar. If the Second Master so much as looks twice at a maid, she will beat and scold the girl miserably right in front of him. Although Miss Patience is his room maid, she is lucky to share his bed once in a year or two, yet Madam Xifeng still mocks and torments her in every way. When Miss Patience is provoked, she cries and argues: ‘It was not I who asked for it. You urged me into it, and now you blame me.’ After the row, Madam Xifeng turns around and coaxes her and apologizes.”

Second Sister You smiled curiously. “Can this be true? How could such a fierce she-devil stoop to humor her own maid?”

Xing’er explained, “This is what the saying means: in all things, reason cannot be escaped. Patience was her personal maid from childhood. Of the four who came with her as part of her dowry, the others married or died, leaving only Patience as her trusted confidante. She gave Patience to the Second Master as a room maid, first to win a reputation for being virtuous, and second to tie the Second Master’s heart so he would not run wild outside.

“Besides, the old rule in the Jia family is that before a young master comes of age and takes a formal wife, the household arranges two maids to serve him. The Second Master originally had two. Less than half a year after Madam Xifeng married in, she trumped up faults and drove them both out. If she kept none at all, it would look bad for her, so she forced Patience to become a bedchamber maid. Miss Patience is upright and never gossips or stirs up trouble between husband and wife. She serves Madam Xifeng with all her heart, and that is why she has been able to stay safely.”

Second Sister You asked again, “I see. I have heard there is also a widowed eldest sister-in-law in your mansion, and several young ladies. Since Madam Xifeng is so fierce, how do they endure her?”

Xing’er clapped his hands and laughed. “Madam, you do not know. That widowed eldest sister-in-law, Li Wan, is nicknamed ‘the Great Bodhisattva.’ She is the kindest and most generous of people. According to Jia family rules, a widow should not meddle in household affairs, but keep herself pure and observe her widowhood. The family entrusts the young ladies to her to teach them reading, writing, needlework, and how to conduct themselves. That is her whole duty. She asks about nothing else. Recently she has only been ill, and because the household has so much going on, she has temporarily taken charge for a few days, but she merely follows old precedents and does not like to show off and take on everything as Madam Xifeng does.

“As for the eldest young lady, Yuanchun, there is no need to say much. Without ability she could not have obtained such noble fortune. The second young lady, Yingchun, is nicknamed ‘the Second Block of Wood.’ You could stick her with a needle and she would not make a sound. The third young lady, Tanchun, is nicknamed ‘the Rose.’”

The You sisters quickly asked why. Xing’er smiled. “A rose is red and fragrant, loved by all, but covered with thorns that prick the hand. Tanchun is clever and capable, but unfortunately she is not Lady Wang’s own child. She is truly a phoenix born in a crow’s nest. The fourth young lady, Xichun, is still young. She is Master Zhen’s own younger sister. Her mother died when she was small, and the old lady told Lady Wang to bring her up. She too cares little for managing affairs.

“Besides these young ladies in the mansion, Madam, there are two young ladies rarely found in this world. One is the daughter of the late Miss Jia, Lin Daiyu, whose childhood name is Daiyu. In looks and figure she is almost equal to Third Aunt. She is full of poetry and learning, but she is frail and sickly all year round. In this weather she still wears lined clothes, and a gust of wind seems enough to blow her over. We secretly call her ‘the Sickly Xi Shi.’

“The other is Aunt Xue’s daughter, Xue Baochai. She is as white as snow. If we occasionally see her from afar, we do not even dare breathe heavily.”

Second Sister You smiled. “In a great household, even if you pages are allowed into the inner courtyards, when you meet the young ladies you should keep far away.”

Xing’er waved his hand. “It is not only the rule. Of course we must avoid them out of propriety. But even after we have avoided them, we do not dare breathe heavily—for fear that a heavy breath would blow Lin Daiyu over, and a warm breath would melt Xue Baochai.”

The whole room burst into laughter. To know what happened next, listen to the next chapter.