Lin Xiaoxiang Wins the Laurel with Chrysanthemum Verses; Xue Hengwu Responds with a Satirical Crab Song

Now that Baochai and Xiangyun had settled their plans, the night passed without event. The next day, Xiangyun invited Lady Dowager and the others to come enjoy the osmanthus blossoms. Lady Dowager and the company all said: "She is so full of spirit—we must accept her gracious invitation." At noon, accordingly, Lady Dowager arrived with Lady Wang, Xifeng, and also invited Aunt Xue and the rest to enter the garden together. Lady Dowager asked: "Which spot is best?" Lady Wang said: "Whatever the old lady prefers." Xifeng said: "Lotus Pavilion is already set up; the two osmanthus trees below the slope are blooming beautifully, and the river water is clear and green. Sitting in the pavilion in the middle of the water, you get a sweeping view and the water soothes the eyes." Lady Dowager agreed and led them all toward Lotus Pavilion. This pavilion was built over the pond, with windows on all sides, and winding galleries connecting it to the banks; behind it, a zigzag bamboo bridge provided a hidden approach. As they stepped onto the bridge, Xifeng hurried forward to support Lady Dowager, saying: "Just stride along boldly, Ancestress—it's all right; bamboo bridges always creak and groan."

They entered the pavilion and saw, outside the balustrades, two bamboo tables: one laid with cups, chopsticks, and wine vessels, the other with tea whisks, tea bowls, and other implements. On one side, a few maids fanned a brazier to brew tea; on the other, others fanned a brazier to warm wine. Lady Dowager was pleased and asked: "This tea arrangement is thoughtful, and the place is fine and clean." Xiangyun smiled: "It was Sister Baochai who helped me prepare it." Lady Dowager said: "I always said this child is careful and handles everything well." As she spoke, she noticed a pair of black-lacquered, mother-of-pearl-inlaid couplets on the pillars and asked someone to read them aloud. Xiangyun read:

The lotus shadow breaks as the oar returns;
The fragrant caltrop deepens where the bamboo bridge bends.

Lady Dowager looked up at the plaque, then turned to Aunt Xue and said: "When I was a child, our family had a similar pavilion called 'Pillow-Cloud Pavilion.' I was about the age of these girls then, and used to play there every day with my cousins. One day I slipped and fell into the water—nearly drowned. I was rescued with difficulty, but a wooden nail gashed my forehead. The hollow about the size of a fingertip on my temple is the scar from that day. Everyone was afraid of the water and the wind, and said I wouldn't live, but somehow I recovered." Before anyone else could speak, Xifeng laughed: "If you hadn't lived, who would enjoy all this good fortune now? You see, the Ancestress has always been blessed with longevity and happiness—Heaven itself made that hollow to hold them. The Old Man of Longevity also has a hollow on his head, but it swells out because it's full of ten thousand blessings!" Before she finished, Lady Dowager and the company were weak with laughter. Lady Dowager laughed: "This monkey is too spoiled—she keeps teasing me. I'd like to tear that oily mouth of hers!" Xifeng laughed: "After eating crabs, we're afraid of getting cold inside; I made the Ancestress laugh to warm her heart. A laugh or two will let her eat a few more without harm." Lady Dowager laughed: "Tomorrow I'll have you stay by me day and night—I'll laugh often and feel happy, and I won't let you go home." Lady Wang said: "The old lady spoils her, that's why she's so forward; and you say that—she'll only get worse." Lady Dowager laughed: "I like her this way. Besides, she's not one of those who don't know their place. When it's just family, we should be natural. As long as the main forms are decent, why make her stand like a statue?"

So saying, they all entered the pavilion. Tea was served, and Xifeng busied herself arranging the tables and setting out cups and chopsticks. At the head table sat Lady Dowager, Aunt Xue, Baochai, Daiyu, and Baoyu; at the east table sat Shi Xiangyun, Lady Wang, Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun; and by the west door, a table was laid for Li Wan and Xifeng, but neither dared sit—they attended on Lady Dowager and Lady Wang. Xifeng ordered: "Don't bring out too many crabs at once; keep them in the steamer. Bring ten, and when they're eaten, bring more." She then had water brought to wash her hands, stood before Lady Dowager, and began shelling crab meat, offering the first pieces to Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue said: "I prefer to crack them myself—it tastes better—no need to serve me." So Xifeng served Lady Dowager. Next she served Baoyu, and called for "very hot wine." She also sent little maids for the powdered mung beans smoked with chrysanthemum leaves and osmanthus stamens, for washing hands. Shi Xiangyun ate one crab, then rose to make the rounds, and went outside to have two plates sent to Concubines Zhao and Zhou. She saw Xifeng approach and say: "You're not used to playing host—go eat. I'll manage for now; I'll eat after everyone's done." Xiangyun refused, but also had two tables set on the veranda for Yuanyang, Hupo, Caixia, Caiyun, and Pinger. Yuanyang said to Xifeng with a smile: "Second Mistress, you serve here; we'll go eat." Xifeng said: "Go ahead—leave it all to me." Xiangyun then rejoined the main table. Xifeng and Li Wan also made a show of eating, but Xifeng kept moving about. At one point she came to the veranda, where Yuanyang and the others were enjoying themselves. Seeing her, they stood up: "Mistress, why are you out again? Let us have our fun too." Xifeng laughed: "You wicked little Yuanyang—I'm on duty for you, and you don't thank me, but complain. Quick, pour me a cup of wine!" Yuanyang laughingly poured a cup and brought it to Xifeng's lips; Xifeng tossed her head back and drank. Hupo and Caixia also poured a cup, and Xifeng drank that too. Pinger had already picked out a shellful of roe and offered it; Xifeng said: "Put plenty of ginger and vinegar on it," and ate it, then laughed: "Sit and eat—I must go." Yuanyang laughed: "Shameless—you've eaten our food." Xifeng laughed: "Don't be silly with me. You know your Second Master Lian has taken a fancy to you—he wants to ask the old lady to make you his concubine." Yuanyang spat: "Pah! Is that a proper thing for a mistress to say? If I don't smear your face with crab-grease, I'm not done!" She ran after Xifeng, who begged: "Dear sister, spare me this once!" Hupo laughed: "If Yuanyang is leaving, will Pinger let her off? Look—she hasn't eaten two crabs, yet she's drunk a whole dish of vinegar—she certainly knows how to be jealous!" Pinger was just cracking a crab full of roe, and at this taunt she laughingly smeared the crab right toward Hupo's face, scolding: "You gossiping wretch!" Hupo dodged, Pinger missed, and lurched forward, smearing Xifeng's cheek instead. Xifeng, who had been laughing with Yuanyang, started and cried out. Everyone burst out laughing. Xifeng herself couldn't help laughing and scolded: "You damned slut! Your eyes left the target—you smeared your own mother!" Pinger hurried over to wipe it off and went to fetch water. Yuanyang said: "Buddha be praised! That's retribution." Lady Dowager heard the commotion and called out: "What's so funny? Tell us and let us laugh too." Yuanyang answered loudly: "Second Mistress came to snatch crabs, and Pinger got angry and smeared her mistress's face with crab roe—mistress and maid are fighting!" Lady Dowager and Lady Wang laughed too, and Lady Dowager said: "She looks so pathetic—just give her a few little legs and the navel meat to eat." Yuanyang and the others laughingly agreed, and called out: "There are plenty of legs on the table—let the Second Mistress help herself." Xifeng washed her face and came back to attend on Lady Dowager and the rest for a while longer. Daiyu, however, dared not eat much—only a bit of the claw meat, then stopped.

When Lady Dowager had finished, the party dispersed. They all washed their hands; some went to look at the flowers, others played with the water or watched the fish. Lady Wang said to Lady Dowager: "There's a wind here, and after eating crabs, you'd better go back to your room and rest. If you feel like it, you can come again tomorrow." Lady Dowager agreed: "That's right. I was afraid that if I left, I'd spoil your fun. But since you say so, let's all go." She turned and told Xiangyun: "Don't let Baoyu and Daiyu eat too many." Xiangyun promised. She also told Xiangyun and Baochai: "Don't eat too many either. They taste good, but aren't wholesome—too many will give you a stomachache." Both promised and escorted them out of the garden, then returned and ordered the remnants cleared away and a fresh table set. Baoyu said: "No need to set a formal table—let's write poems. Put that big round table in the middle, with the wine and dishes on it. We don't need fixed seats; anyone who wants to eat can help themselves—and sit wherever we like. That's more convenient." Baochai agreed. Xiangyun said: "That's fine, but there are others too." So she ordered another table, with hot crabs, for Xiren, Zijuan, Siqi, Daishu, Ruhua, Ying'er, Cuimo, and the rest to share. Under the osmanthus trees on the slope, two flowered felt rugs were spread for the matrons and younger maids, so they could sit and eat and drink freely, and come when called.

Xiangyun then took the poetry themes and pinned them on the wall with needles. When everyone saw them, they said: "Novel they are, but we fear we cannot write them." Xiangyun explained about the unrestricted rhyme. Baoyu said: "That's the right way—I too hate rhyme restrictions." Lin Daiyu, not much of a drinker and not eating crabs, had someone bring a cushion, and sat by the balustrade with a fishing rod. Baochai played with an osmanthus twig, then leaned on the window ledge and flicked the stamens into the water, drawing the fish to nibble. Xiangyun sat lost in thought for a while, then invited Xiren and the others, and called to those under the slope to eat as much as they liked. Tanchun, Li Wan, and Xichun stood in the shade of weeping willows watching the gulls and egrets. Yingchun sat alone in the flower shade threading jasmine blossoms with a needle. Baoyu watched Daiyu fishing, then leaned by Baochai for a chat, then watched Xiren and the others eating crabs, and drank a little with them. Xiren shelled a crab and gave him the meat. Daiyu put down her fishing rod, came to the table, picked up the silver-inlaid pewter wine pot, and chose a small begonia-shaped cup of frozen stone (a type of chalcedony). When her maid saw this and moved to pour for her, Daiyu said: "Go eat—let me pour myself; it's more fun." She poured half a cup and saw it was yellow rice wine, so she said: "I ate a little crab and feel a slight pain in my chest—I need a sip of hot liquor." Baoyu said at once: "We have liquor," and ordered a pot of the wine infused with silk-tree flowers to be heated. Daiyu drank only one mouthful and put it down. Baochai also came over, took a different cup, drank a sip, then dipped her brush and marked the first title, Remembering the Chrysanthemum, on the wall, adding the character "Heng" (for Hengwu) below it. Baoyu hurriedly said: "Dear sister, I already have four lines for the second—let me do that one." Baochai laughed: "I finally got one, and you're in such a rush." Daiyu said nothing, took the brush and marked the eighth, Inquiring of the Chrysanthemum, and then the eleventh, Chrysanthemum Dream, adding the character "Xiao" (for Xiaoxiang). Baoyu then took the brush and marked the second, Visiting the Chrysanthemum, adding the character "Jiang" (for Jiangdong—his old name). Tanchun came over to look and said: "No one has taken Wearing the Chrysanthemum—I'll do that." She pointed at Baoyu and laughed: "It was just declared that no boudoir terms may appear—be careful." Just then Shi Xiangyun came and marked the fourth and fifth, Admiring the Chrysanthemum and Offering the Chrysanthemum, adding the character "Xiang." Tanchun said: "You should take a literary name." Xiangyun laughed: "Though we have several pavilions at home, I don't live in them; borrowing a name would be pointless." Baochai laughed: "Just now the old lady said your family had a waterside pavilion called 'Pillow-Cloud'—isn't that yours? Even if it's gone now, you are still the original mistress." Everyone agreed, and Baoyu, without waiting for Xiangyun, erased the "Xiang" and changed it to "Xia" (Cloud). Within the time of a meal, all twelve titles were taken. Each copied out their poem and handed them to Yingchun, who took a fresh sheet of paper and transcribed them all, noting the author's literary name beside each. Li Wan and the others read from the beginning:

Remembering the Chrysanthemum – Alpinia Lord

Sadly I gaze at the west wind, nursing dreary thought—
When smartweed red and reed white make the heart distraught.
Empty the hedge and old plot—autumn leaves no trace;
Only in dreams, beneath thin moon and frost, I find her face.
My thoughts follow the wild geese far away;
I sit listening to the evening washing-block, entranced.
Who pities me, sick for the yellow flower?
Yet comfort comes—on Double Ninth we'll meet, perchance.

Visiting the Chrysanthemum – Happy Red Prince

Leisure, the frost sky clear—I make a trip;
Nor wine-cup nor medicine-dish shall hold me back.
Whose garden, beneath the frost and moon, is this?
Beyond the rails and hedge, where lies my care?
Waxed sandals bring me far with eager heart;
Cold chanting never ends, my spirit free.
If the yellow flower knows the poet's love,
Let it not fail the staff I carry today.

Planting the Chrysanthemum – Happy Red Prince

I bring my hoe and move it from the autumn plot,
By hedge and court I plant it here and there.
Last night, unexpectedly, rain made it live;
This morning, still it blooms with frosty air.
I chant the autumn hue in a thousand poems,
And toast its cold fragrance with a cup of wine.
With spring-water and mud I guard it well—
It knows the dusty world is not its line.

Admiring the Chrysanthemum – Old Friend of Pillow-Cloud

Transplanted from another plot, more precious than gold—
Some clumps are pale, some deep in hue.
By the sparse hedge, bareheaded, I sit;
In the cool fragrance, hugging my knees, I croon.
None other is so proud and aloof as you;
Only I, it seems, am your true friend.
Let not the autumn light pass by in vain—
Facing each other, we should treasure every inch of time.

Offering the Chrysanthemum – Old Friend of Pillow-Cloud

With zither and wine, how glad to have you near—
You grace my desk with delicate allure.
Your fragrance parts from neighboring paths of dew;
I set my book aside and face one bough of autumn.
Frost-clear paper-curtains bring new dreams;
The cold garden, slanting sun, recalls old wanderings.
Your proud disdain for the world—we share that same air;
Spring's peach and plum could never hold me there.

Chanting the Chrysanthemum – Xiaoxiang Consort

The wanton muse of verse haunts me from dawn to night—
By the hedge, leaning on stone, I sink in rhyme.
My brush holds grace as I write facing frost;
My lips taste fragrance as I chant to the moon.
Full pages pity my own pale complaints—
A single line—who can unravel autumn's heart?
Since Tao Qian gave his judgment long ago,
Through ages high this noble style has passed.

Painting the Chrysanthemum – Alpinia Lord

After the poem, in play I wield the brush—not wild;
Why should I ponder over pigments and design?
With splashed ink I gather leaves in thousand dots;
With stains of color I trace the frosty lines.
The shades suggest the figure in the wind;
The withered autumn breathes beneath my wrist.
Think not I pick them by the eastern hedge—
I paste them on the screen to cheer the Double Ninth.

Inquiring of the Chrysanthemum – Xiaoxiang Consort

I would ask autumn's news—but none can tell;
Murmuring, hands behind, I knock at the eastern hedge.
Proud and aloof, with whom do you retire?
Flowers all bloom—why are you always late?
The garden's dew, the court's frost—how lonely!
When geese return and crickets pine, do you yearn?
Say not the world has none to talk with you—
If you can speak, why not a word or two?

Wearing the Chrysanthemum – Banana Guest

Daily I tend you in vase or in the hedge—
When picked, do not mistake me for the mirror's face.
The young lord of Chang'an had his flower-mania;
The hermit of Pengze was mad for wine.
My short-trimmed hair is chilled with path-side dew;
My hempen turban bears the autumn frost.
Such lofty taste is lost on common eyes—
Let them clap and jeer as I pass by.

Chrysanthemum Shadow – Old Friend of Pillow-Cloud

Autumn light on autumn light, fold upon fold—
It steals and glides among the winding paths.
Through latticed windows, distant lamps trace near and far;
Through the hedge the broken moon locks the delicate form.
The cold bloom leaves its image—there the soul should stay;
The frost-print seems to speak, yet dreams are void.
Cherish the secret fragrance—do not tread it down;
Who, with drunken eyes, can see the haze aright?

Chrysanthemum Dream – Xiaoxiang Consort

By the hedge, deep in autumn slumber, clear the dream—
With clouds and moon, all indistinctly blent.
To ascend as immortal—not Zhuangzi's butterfly;
To recall old ties—I seek the Taoist pact.
In sleep I follow the wild geese as they vanish;
Awakened, vexed by the cricket's mournful cry.
When waking, to whom can I tell my hidden grief?
Boundless feelings in withered grass and cold mist lie.

Fading Chrysanthemum – Banana Guest

With heavy dew and frost, she slowly droops—
The feast is over, just after light snow falls.
The stalk retains a scent—gold has grown faint;
No leaf is whole—the emerald drapes in tatters.
Half the bed in moonlight, crickets sickly chirp;
Cold clouds for miles, the wild geese lag behind.
Next autumn's wind, I know, will bring us together—
Parting is brief; do not pine too long.

They read each poem and praised each in turn. Li Wan laughed: "Let me judge fairly. Overall, each has its striking lines. Today's public verdict: Chanting the Chrysanthemum first, Inquiring of the Chrysanthemum second, Chrysanthemum Dream third—fresh topics, fresh poems, and freshest conceptions. We cannot but award the laurel to the Xiaoxiang Consort. Then Wearing the Chrysanthemum, Admiring the Chrysanthemum, Offering the Chrysanthemum, Painting the Chrysanthemum, and Remembering the Chrysanthemum come next." Baoyu clapped his hands with joy: "Exactly—most fair." Daiyu said: "Mine are not good—rather too delicate and clever." Li Wan said: "The cleverness is just right—not forced or stiff." Daiyu said: "In my view, the best line is the first one in Offering the Chrysanthemum—'The cold garden, slanting sun, recalls old wanderings'—it reflects the subject by contrast. And 'I set my book aside and face one bough of autumn' is already superb—having finished describing the offering, it turns back to the time before the flower was picked or offered—profound and penetrating." Li Wan laughed: "True, but your line 'My lips taste fragrance as I chant to the moon' is a worthy match." Tanchun added: "Still, we must give Alpinia Lord credit for her composure—'autumn leaves no trace' and 'in dreams I find her face'—she has brought out the whole feeling of 'remembering'." Baochai said: "Your 'short-trimmed hair is chilled' and 'hempen turban bears the autumn frost' have described wearing the chrysanthemum so completely that nothing is left out." Xiangyun said: "'With whom do you retire?' and 'Why are you always late?' truly make the chrysanthemum speechless." Li Wan laughed: "Your 'bareheaded, I sit' and 'hugging my knees, I croon'—no one could improve on that; if the chrysanthemum had feelings, it would be tired of hearing them." Everyone laughed. Baoyu laughed: "I've failed again. But aren't 'Whose garden?' and 'Where lies my care?' and 'Waxed sandals bring me far' and 'Cold chanting never ends' all about 'visiting'? And 'Last night, unexpectedly, rain' and 'This morning, still it blooms with frost'—aren't they about 'planting'? I only regret I can't match lines like 'My lips taste fragrance as I chant to the moon,' or 'In the cool fragrance, hugging my knees, I croon,' or 'short-trimmed hair' and 'hempen turban,' or 'gold has grown faint' and 'the emerald drapes in tatters,' or 'autumn leaves no trace' and 'in dreams I find her face.'" He added: "Tomorrow, when I'm free, I'll write all twelve by myself." Li Wan said: "Yours are good too—just not as fresh and clever as those few."

They discussed further, then ordered fresh hot crabs and ate around the big round table. Baoyu laughed: "Today, holding the pincers and enjoying the osmanthus, we must have some poems. I've already composed one—who dares try another?" So saying, he quickly washed his hands, took up his brush, and wrote. They read:

Holding the pincer, I joy in the osmanthus shade;
Vinegar and ginger ground—my spirits are high.
The gluttonous young lord needs wine with his feast;
The sideways-walking gentleman has no gut inside.
For cold in the navel I forget my fear;
My fingers reek of grease yet still smell sweet.
All for the world's delight in taste—
Even Su Dongpo laughed at a life of toil.

Daiyu laughed: "Such a poem—I could write a hundred of them." Baoyu laughed: "You're out of inspiration, and instead of admitting you can't write, you belittle others." Daiyu did not answer; without a moment's thought, she raised her brush and dashed one off. They read:

In iron armor, with long spear, death not forgot—
Piled on the dish, the colors greet the taste.
The pincers hide twin jewels of tender meat;
The shells bulge with crimson, each lump fragrant.
Much flesh—O eight-legged one, I pity you;
Who but wine can urge me to a thousand cups?
Facing this dainty to honor the festival—
The breeze stirs osmanthus, chrysanthemums wear frost.

Baoyu was applauding when Daiyu snatched it up, tore it to pieces, and ordered it burned, saying with a smile: "Mine is not as good as yours—I'll burn it. Yours is excellent—better than your chrysanthemum poems—keep it for others to see." Baochai then said: "I've also forced one—not good, but I'll write it for fun." She wrote it out. They read:

Under osmanthus mist and plane-tree shade we raise our cups—
The drooling mouths of Chang'an long for Double Ninth day.
The road before us has neither warp nor woof;
Within the shell, spring and autumn hold only black and yellow.

At this, everyone exclaimed in admiration. Baoyu said: "How biting! My poem should be burned too." They continued:

Wine cannot overcome the fishiness—use chrysanthemum;
To prevent cold in the stomach, ginger must be had.
Now that you're boiled in the pot, what good is it?
The moonlit shore is empty—only the scent of grain remains.

All read it and declared it the masterpiece on crabs—such trivial subjects should contain great meaning to show true talent—though they said the satire on the world was a bit too sharp. Just then, Pinger came back into the garden. What was her business? Listen to the next chapter to find out.