Lin Daiyu Reconstructs Peach Blossom Society, Shi Xiangyun Occasionally Fills Willow catkins Lyrics

Jia Lian kept vigil and slept beside the coffin in Pear Fragrance Court for seven days, inviting monks and Taoists every day to chant sutras and perform rites. The old lady sent for him and told him that Second Sister You’s coffin was not to be sent to the family temple. Jia Lian had no choice but to consult the monk Shi Jue again. He chose a grave site above Third Sister You’s and broke ground for burial. On the day of the funeral, few people came—only members of the Jia clan, Wang Xin and his wife, and Madam You and her daughter-in-law. Xifeng paid no attention and left everything to Jia Lian.

As the year’s end approached, all sorts of chores piled up. In addition, Lin Zhixiao submitted a list of eight unmarried pages of twenty-five who had reached the age to take wives and set up households; they awaited maids from the mansion who were due to be released and assigned to them. After reading the list, Xifeng first reported to the old lady and Lady Wang. They discussed it together. Although several maids had reached the age to be released, each had her own reason: first was Faithful, who had sworn never to marry. Since refusing the marriage, she had not spoken to Baoyu and no longer dressed or adorned herself carefully. Seeing her firm resolve, the others did not force her. The second, Amber, was ill and could not marry this time. Caiyun had recently fallen out with Jia Huan and had also contracted a hard-to-cure illness. Only a few older maids used for rough work in Xifeng’s and Li Wan’s rooms could be released; the rest were not old enough. In the end, the outside pages were told to find wives for themselves.

Some time before, because Xifeng had been ill, Li Wan and Tanchun had managed household affairs in her place and were too busy to spare time. Then came the New Year and festivals, with a flood of miscellaneous matters, and the poetry club was set aside. Now it was mid-spring, and everyone finally had leisure. But Baoyu had suffered one blow after another: Liu Xianglian had seen through the world and left; Third Sister You had cut her throat with a sword; Second Sister You had died; even Liu Fivey had been angered into illness. Sorrow followed sorrow, layer upon layer. Baoyu became dazed, his speech disordered, as if suffering from palpitations. Aroma and the others were alarmed but did not dare report to the old lady; they could only try every way to cheer him and distract him.

One morning Baoyu had just woken when he heard laughter and romping from the outer room. Aroma said with a smile, “Go and stop them. Skybright and Musk are holding Parfumée down and tickling her.” Baoyu threw on a gray squirrel fur jacket and went out. He saw that the three had not yet folded their bedclothes or put on outer clothes. Skybright wore only a leek-green silk jacket, red underclothes, and red sleeping shoes, her hair loose, sitting on Parfumée. Musk wore only a red silk bodice and an old jacket, reaching to tickle Parfumée’s ribs. Parfumée lay on her back on the kang in an embroidered tight jacket, red trousers, and green socks, kicking her feet and laughing until she could not breathe. Baoyu came forward with a smile. “Two big ones bullying one little one—I will help!” He got on the kang and tickled Skybright. Skybright, ticklish, quickly let go of Parfumée and turned to grapple with Baoyu. Parfumée seized the chance to push Skybright down and tickle her waist. Aroma smiled. “Be careful you do not catch cold.” It was very funny to see the four tangled together.

Suddenly Li Wan sent Biyue over to ask, “Last night our mistress left a handkerchief here. Is it in the room?” Swallow answered, “Yes, yes. I picked it up from the floor, washed it, and hung it to dry. It is not dry yet.” Biyue saw the four rolling in a heap and smiled. “It is lively here. Early in the morning you are already romping together.” Baoyu smiled. “There are plenty of people over there too. Why do you not play?” Biyue said, “Our mistress does not like to play, and she keeps the two aunts and Miss Qin under restraint. Now Miss Qin has gone with the old lady, so it is even lonelier. The two aunts will leave the mansion after next winter, and then it will be lonelier still. Look at Miss Baochai’s place: since Caltrop left, how quiet it has become. Miss Yun is left all alone.”

As she spoke, Xiangyun sent Cuilv to say, “Please ask the Second Master to come out quickly and see some good poetry.” Baoyu quickly asked, “Where is the good poetry?” Cuilv smiled. “The young ladies are all at Winding Stream Pavilion. You will know when you go.” Baoyu hurriedly washed and dressed and went out. Sure enough, Daiyu, Baochai, Xiangyun, Baoqin, and Tanchun were all in the pavilion, holding a poem. When they saw him, they laughed. “You are only up now. Our Crab Apple Poetry Club has been stopped for a year, and no one has taken the lead to restart it. Now it is early spring, all things are new. It is just the time to revive the club.” Xiangyun said, “The Crab Apple Club was started in autumn, so it was not meant to flourish. Now in spring all things grow; it is the time for flourishing. Besides, this peach blossom poem is excellent. Let us change the Crab Apple Club into the Peach Blossom Club.” Baoyu nodded again and again and was eager to see the poem. The others said, “Let us go now to find the Old Farmer of Rice Fragrance, Li Wan, and decide together about starting the club.” They rose and went together toward Rice Fragrance Village. As Baoyu walked, he read “A Song of the Peach Blossoms” written on the paper:

Beyond the peach blossom curtain the east wind is soft;
Within the peach blossom curtain morning makeup is lazy.
Outside the curtain peach blossoms, inside the curtain a person;
Between the person and the peach blossoms, not far.
The east wind means to lift the curtain;
The flowers would peep at her, but the curtain is not rolled.
Beyond the curtain the peach blossoms still bloom;
The person within is thinner than the peach blossoms.
If flowers could pity, flowers too would grieve;
Through the curtain the wind carries the news.
The wind pierces the Xiang curtain, blossoms fill the court;
Spring before the court doubles her sorrow.
In the idle mossy courtyard the gate is shut in vain;
At the slanted sun she leans alone on the railing.
Leaning on the railing, she weeps toward the east wind;
Her crimson skirt secretly stands beside the peach blossoms.
Peach blossoms and leaves in wild confusion;
Flowers open new red, leaves congeal in green.
Mist wraps and smoke seals ten thousand trees;
They burn the tower, light the wall, a blur of red.
Heaven’s loom burns through the mandarin-duck brocade;
Spring’s drowsy wine would wake; she moves her coral pillow.
A maid brings water in a golden basin;
Fragrant spring water chills the rouge in its reflection.
What is the bright rouge like?
The color of flowers, the tears of a person.
If you compare a person’s tears to peach blossoms,
The tears flow on, the flowers stay fair.
Watching flowers through tears, tears dry easily;
Tears dry, spring ends, flowers wither.
Withered flowers hide a withered person;
Flowers fly, the person tires, dusk comes easily.
One cry of the cuckoo, spring returns utterly;
The curtained window is lonely, only the trace of the moon.

After reading it, Baoyu did not praise it; instead tears fell. He knew at once it was by Daiyu, and that was why he was grieved. Afraid the others would see, he quickly wiped his tears. Baoyu asked, “Where did you get this poem?” Baoqin smiled. “Guess who wrote it.” Baoyu smiled. “Naturally it is from the Princess of the Xiang.” Baoqin deliberately said, “Actually I wrote it.” Baoyu shook his head. “I do not believe it. The mournful tone and phrasing are completely unlike Sister Baochai’s style, so I know it is not yours.” Baochai smiled. “Your judgment is not sound. Did Du Fu write only gloomy lines like ‘The chrysanthemums have opened twice, tears of another day’? He also wrote soft, lovely lines like ‘Red blossoms burst, rain has fattened the plums’ and ‘Water mallows trail the wind, green ribbons long.’” Baoyu said, “That may be so, but I know you would never let your cousin write such sorrowful lines. Even if she had the talent, she would not write such sad lyrics. She is not like Cousin Lin, who has known the grief of losing her parents and can write such poignant lines.” Everyone laughed.

When they reached Rice Fragrance Village, they showed the poem to Li Wan, who praised it without end. They discussed the poetry club and agreed: tomorrow was the second day of the third month; they would formally start the club, change “Crab Apple Club” to “Peach Blossom Club,” and make Lin Daiyu the president. After lunch the next day, everyone would gather at Bamboo Lodge. Then they discussed the topic. Daiyu suggested, “Let us write a peach blossom poem of one hundred rhymes.” Baochai said, “No. There have been too many peach blossom poems since ancient times; it easily falls into convention and cannot compare with your old-style poem. We must choose another topic.” While they were discussing, a servant reported, “The aunt from the Wang family has come. The young ladies should go out and pay their respects.” So they all went to the front hall to greet Wang Ziteng’s wife and chat with her. After the meal, they accompanied her into Grand View Garden to stroll. Only when the lamps were lit did the aunt take leave.

The next day was Tanchun’s birthday. Yuanchun had early sent two young eunuchs with several playthings. The whole household prepared birthday gifts, needless to say. After the meal, Tanchun changed into formal clothes and made her bows everywhere. Daiyu said with a smile to the others, “The day chosen for our poetry club is unlucky. I forgot these two days are Third Sister’s birthday. Even if we do not have wine or opera, we must keep her company before the old lady and Lady Wang for a whole day. How can we find time to write poetry?” So the club was changed to the fifth.

On the fifth, after the sisters had eaten breakfast in the old lady’s rooms, a letter from Jia Zheng arrived. Baoyu paid his respects, opened the letter to the old lady, and read it to her. It contained only greetings and said he would certainly return to the capital in mid-sixth month. The other family letters and business documents were opened and read by Jia Lian and Lady Wang. When everyone heard that Jia Zheng would return in the sixth or seventh month, they were all delighted.

But during this time, Wang Ziteng’s daughter had been betrothed to the son of the Marquis of Baoning, and the wedding was set for the tenth day of the fifth month. Xifeng was busy making arrangements and was often away from home for three or five days at a time. That day Wang Ziteng’s wife came again to invite Xifeng and also all the nephews and nieces for a day of leisure. The old lady and Lady Wang told Baoyu, Tanchun, Daiyu, and Baochai to go with Xifeng. They did not dare disobey and each went back to dress and adorn themselves. The five took leave and spent the whole day out, returning only when the lamps were lit.

Baoyu returned to Green Delights and rested a while. Aroma took the chance to urge him to collect his heart and read more when he had time, to prepare for the master’s return and examination of his lessons. Baoyu counted on his fingers and said, “It is still early.” Aroma said, “Reading is the first thing; practicing calligraphy is the second. By that time, even if you have finished the books, where will your handwriting be?” Baoyu smiled. “I have written quite a lot ordinarily. Have they not been kept?” Aroma said, “Of course they have. Yesterday when you were out, I took them out and counted. There are only fifty or sixty sheets. In three or four years, can you have only these few sheets? In my opinion, from tomorrow, put aside all other thoughts and copy several sheets every day to make up. Even if you cannot write every day, at least the amount should be passable.” Baoyu heard this, checked them himself, and indeed there were not enough to bluff through. He agreed, “Starting tomorrow, I will write a hundred characters a day.” Then everyone went to rest.

The next morning, after washing, Baoyu ground ink by the window and carefully copied a calligraphy model. The old lady had not seen him for a while and thought he was ill, so she sent someone to ask. Baoyu went to pay his respects and explained that he was practicing writing at home and had used the early morning time for it, so he was late. The old lady was very pleased and told him, “From now on, just read and write. You need not come every day to pay your respects. Go and tell your mother.” Baoyu went to Lady Wang’s room and explained. Lady Wang said, “Sharpening your spear at the last moment is not much use. With the time you are anxious now, if you had read and written every day, how much work would be done? Rushing like this, do not make yourself ill again.” Baoyu said it would not matter. The old lady also worried he would make himself ill from anxiety. Tanchun and Baochai said with smiles, “Old Ancestor, do not worry. We cannot read the books for him, but we can write the characters for him. Each of us will copy one sheet a day for him and tide him over. First, the master will not be angry when he returns; second, Baoyu will not make himself ill from worry.” The old lady was delighted.

Now Lin Daiyu had heard that Jia Zheng would soon return and would certainly check Baoyu’s lessons. She feared Baoyu would be distracted and suffer punishment. So she deliberately pretended to have no interest, did not mention the poetry club, and did not draw Baoyu’s attention with idle matters. Tanchun and Baochai each copied a sheet of regular script for Baoyu every day. Baoyu himself also worked harder, writing two or three hundred characters a day. By late in the third month, he had accumulated many sheets. One day he calculated that he still lacked fifty sheets to bluff through. Then Nightingale brought a roll of paper. Baoyu opened it and saw it was fine small regular script in the style of Zhong You and Wang Xizhi, copied on old oiled bamboo paper, and the handwriting was almost identical to his own. Baoyu was overjoyed. He bowed to Nightingale and went in person to Bamboo Lodge to thank Daiyu. Shi Xiangyun and Baoqin also each sent several sheets. Together, though not enough, it was enough to pass inspection. Baoyu set his mind at ease and reviewed the books he should read several times.

Just as Baoyu was studying diligently every day, a tsunami occurred along the coast, and the people suffered. The local officials memorialized the throne, and the emperor ordered Jia Zheng to inspect the disaster and relieve the victims on his way back to the capital. Calculating this, Jia Zheng would not return until the end of the year. As soon as Baoyu heard, he immediately threw books and calligraphy practice to the back of his mind and went back to his old ways of roaming and playing.

Soon it was late spring. Shi Xiangyun, having nothing to do, saw willow catkins fluttering everywhere and casually wrote a short lyric to the tune “Like a Dream”:

Is it leftover embroidered floss,
Rolled up with half a curtain of fragrant mist?
A slender hand picks it—
Vainly making crying swallows jealous.
Stay, stay!
Do not let the spring light leave.

After writing it, she was pleased. She wrote it on paper, showed it to Baochai, and came to find Daiyu. Daiyu read it and smiled. “It is good, fresh and amusing. I could not write it.” Xiangyun said, “Our club has always written poems, never lyrics. Why not start a club tomorrow for lyrics, change the form, and make it fresh?” Daiyu, interested, said, “That is excellent. I will go and invite everyone now.” She ordered refreshments prepared and sent people in different directions to invite the sisters. The two chose willow catkins as the topic and selected several tunes, wrote them out, and pasted them on the wall.

When the others came and looked, the topic was willow catkins, with different tunes assigned. They first read Shi Xiangyun’s and praised it. Baoyu smiled. “We are not good at lyrics; we can only dash off a few lines.” So they drew lots for tunes: Baochai drew “Immortals by the River,” Baoqin “West River Moon,” Tanchun “South Branch,” Daiyu “Tangduo Song,” and Baoyu “Butterflies in Love with Flowers.” Nightingale lit a stick of Sweet Dream incense, and everyone began to think. Before long Daiyu finished; then Baoqin and Baochai finished. The three looked at one another’s. Baochai smiled. “I will first finish reading yours, then look at mine.” Tanchun said anxiously, “Aiya, why is the incense burning so fast today? Only three-tenths is left, and I have only half a poem.” She asked Baoyu if he had finished. Baoyu had written a few lines but was dissatisfied, crossed them out, and meant to rewrite. He looked back and saw the incense was almost burned out. Li Wan smiled. “You have lost this round. Banana Girl, write out your half first.” Tanchun quickly wrote it out. It was only half a lyric to “South Branch”:

Vainly hang slender threads,
Vainly droop tangled silk.
Hard to bind, hard to hold—
Let them part east, south, north, and west.

Li Wan smiled. “These lines are good. Why not finish it?” Baoyu saw the incense was gone and was willing to admit defeat. He would not force a poor ending. He put down his brush and looked at Tanchun’s half lyric. Reading halfway, he felt inspired and took up the brush to continue:

When they fall, do not grieve;
When they fly, I know.
When orioles grieve and butterflies tire in late spring’s bloom,
Even if we meet next spring, it is a year apart.

Everyone laughed. “You cannot write what is properly yours, but you have inspiration for this continuation. Even if it is good, it does not count this time.” Then they looked at Daiyu’s “Tangduo Song”:

Powder falls at Hundred Flowers Isle,
Fragrance fades at Swallow Tower.
Clusters pair by pair in quest.
Wandering, too, like a life of thin fate—
Vainly attached, called romantic.
Even grass and trees know sorrow;
Youth turns white-haired!
Alas, in this life who will let go, who will gather?
Married to the east wind, spring cares not;
Let you go—how can I bear to stay?

They all nodded and sighed. “Too sorrowful, though the writing is excellent.” Then they looked at Baoqin’s “West River Moon”:

In Han gardens scattered, few;
On Sui embankments decking, endless.
The work of three springs given to the east wind—
A dream of bright moon and plum blossom.
In how many courtyards fallen red?
At whose door scented snow behind the blinds?
South and north of the river are the same;
Only the parted one’s grief is heavy.

Everyone laughed. “After all, hers has a strong tone. The lines ‘In how many’ and ‘At whose’ are the best.” Baochai said, “It is still unavoidably too desolate. I think willow catkins are light, rootless, and unbound. I insist on writing them in a positive way, so as not to fall into convention. I have dashed off one; I do not know if it suits you.” They said, “Do not be too modest. Let us admire it. It must be good.” They looked at her “Immortals by the River”:

Before the white jade hall, spring knows how to dance;
The east wind rolls them evenly.
Swarms of bees, troops of butterflies, in wild confusion.
Did they ever follow the flowing water?
Must they fall into fragrant dust?
Ten thousand threads, a thousand filaments, never change;
Let them gather or scatter as they will.
Youth, do not laugh that they have no root;
With a good wind to borrow strength,
Send me up to the blue clouds!

Everyone clapped and cried out. “Good line—‘the east wind rolls them evenly’! That one line already rises above the others!” They read on. Everyone clapped and said, “Indeed, the idea is turned with great force. This one should be first. For lingering sorrow, let the Princess of the Xiang have it; for charming sentiment, it is the Pillow of Sunset; Little Xue and Banana Girl are last today and must be punished.” Baoqin smiled. “We will naturally be punished. But what about the one who handed in a blank?” Li Wan said, “Do not be in a hurry. Baoyu must be heavily punished. Let this be the rule next time.”

Before she finished, there was a sound from the bamboo outside the window, like a window frame falling. Everyone was startled. The maids went out to look. A maid outside called, “A big butterfly kite is caught on the bamboo tip!” The maids all said, “What a fine kite! Someone must have lost it. Let us take it down.” Baoyu and the others came out to look. Baoyu said, “I recognize it. It belongs to Jiaohong in the senior master’s courtyard. Take it down and return it to her.” Nightingale smiled. “There are not only her kites in the world. I do not care. I will take it first.” Tanchun said, “Nightingale is being petty. We have our own. Picking up someone else’s broken kite is unlucky.” Daiyu smiled. “True. Who knows whose ill luck it was flying? Throw it out quickly. Bring out ours and let us fly away our ill luck too.” Nightingale quickly told the little maids to send the butterfly kite to the old women on duty at the garden gate, so if the owner came looking, they could return it.

When the little maids heard they were going to fly kites, they were all eager. They scrambled to bring out a beauty kite. Some moved high stools, some tied the scissors-shaped reels, some fetched line spools. Baochai and the others stood at the courtyard gate and told the maids to fly them in the open ground outside. Baoqin smiled. “Yours is not very pretty. It is not as good as Third Sister’s soft-winged phoenix.” Baochai nodded and turned to Cuimo. “Bring your mistress’s kite and fly it too.” Cuimo happily went to fetch it. Baoyu became excited and sent a little maid back to Green Delights. “Bring the big fish kite Aunt Lai gave me yesterday.” The little maid went and came back empty-handed after a long while. She smiled. “Miss Skybright flew it yesterday.” Baoyu was annoyed. “I have not even flown it once.” Tanchun smiled. “It was to fly away ill luck for you. It is just as well.” Baoyu said, “Then bring the big crab kite.” The maid went and came back with several people carrying a beauty kite and a reel. She said, “Miss Aroma says the crab kite was given to the Third Master yesterday. This one was just sent by Aunt Lin. Let us fly this beauty kite.” Baoyu looked closely. The beauty was exquisitely made. He was delighted and ordered it flown.

By then Tanchun’s phoenix kite had been brought. Cuimo and several little maids were already flying it on the slope. Baoqin also had her big red bat kite brought. Baochai was also in good spirits and brought one—seven wild geese in a row—and they all flew them. Only Baoyu’s beauty kite would not rise. Baoyu blamed the maids for not knowing how. He tried himself for a long time, but it rose only as high as the roof and then fell. He was so anxious that sweat came to his forehead, and everyone laughed. Baoyu angrily threw it to the ground and pointed at it. “If you were not a beauty, I would stamp you to pieces.” Daiyu smiled. “The bridle line is not adjusted. Send it out and have it retied.” Baoyu sent someone to fix it and took another kite to fly. Everyone looked up. Several kites floated in the sky.

The maids brought out many little kite accessories, and they played for a while. Nightingale smiled. “The wind is strong now. Miss, you fly it.” Daiyu wrapped her hand in a handkerchief, tested it, and found the wind indeed strong. She took the reel and let the line out with the wind. With a whirring sound, the line ran out completely. Daiyu asked the others to fly it. They smiled. “We each have one. You go first.” Daiyu smiled. “Flying a kite is fun, but I cannot bear it.” Li Wan said, “Flying kites is for this pleasure, and it is called flying away ill luck. You should fly more and carry away the root of your illness.” Nightingale smiled. “Our miss is getting softer-hearted. Other years she flew several. Today she is reluctant. If you will not, let me.” She took a small Western silver scissors from Snowgoose, cut the line close to the reel, and with a snip said, “This will carry away the root of your illness.” The kite drifted and swayed, receding. In a moment it was only the size of an egg, then a black speck, then gone. Everyone looked up and said, “Fun, fun!”

Baoyu said, “It is a pity we do not know where it fell. If it fell where people live and a child got it, that would be good. If it fell in a desolate place with no one, I would feel lonely for it. I might as well cut mine too and let the two keep each other company.” He cut his line and let it go. Tanchun was about to cut her phoenix when she saw another phoenix in the sky. She said, “I wonder whose that is.” Everyone laughed. “Do not cut yours yet. Look, it seems to want to come and tangle with yours.” As they spoke, the phoenix drew closer and tangled with hers. Both sides wanted to pull in their lines, but they could not separate them. Then a door-sized, exquisite double-happiness kite with a whistling whip came near, sounding like a bell in midair. Everyone laughed. “This one is coming to tangle too. Do not pull in yet. Let the three tangle together. It will be fun.” The double-happiness indeed tangled with the two phoenixes. Both sides pulled and tugged, and all the lines broke. The three kites drifted away. Everyone clapped and laughed. “That was fun. But whose double-happiness was it? Too mischievous.”

Daiyu said, “My kite is gone too. I am tired. I want to rest.” Baochai said, “Wait until we have flown ours, then we can all disperse.” They watched the sisters fly theirs, and then all dispersed. Daiyu went back to her room and lay down to rest. To know what happened next, read the next chapter.