Qin Keqing Dies and Is Posthumously Ennobled as a Dragon-Guard; Wang Xifeng Takes on the Management of the Ning Mansion

After Jia Lian had escorted Lin Daiyu to Yangzhou, Xifeng found her days rather dull. Each evening, she would chat and laugh with Ping'er for a while, then go to bed.

One night, while she and Ping'er were embroidering by lamplight beside the brazier, they grew drowsy. She had the embroidered quilts warmed and they lay down together, counting on their fingers how far the travellers might have gone. Soon it was the third watch. Ping'er was fast asleep. Xifeng's eyelids were just growing heavy when, in a daze, she saw Qin Keqing approaching from outside, smiling, and saying, "How soundly you sleep, Aunt! I am leaving today, yet you do not see me off. Because we have always been close, I could not bear to go without saying goodbye to you. I still have one wish unfulfilled that I must tell you—others may not be up to it."

Xifeng, still in a trance, asked, "What is your wish? You may entrust it to me." Qin Keqing said, "Aunt, you are a heroine among women—even those who wear caps and belts cannot match you. How is it you do not know the common sayings? It is often said, 'The full moon wanes, the brimming cup overflows,' and 'He who climbs high falls hard.' Our house has flourished and shone for nearly a hundred years. One day, when joy turns to sorrow, if that saying 'When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter' should come true—would we not have been called a clan of letters and poetry all these years in vain?" Xifeng was deeply impressed and asked with reverence, "Your concern is most justified—but is there any way to preserve us forever?" Qin Keqing laughed coldly, "Aunt, you are naive. When the extreme of adversity comes, fortune follows; honour and disgrace have revolved since ancient times—no human power can guarantee perpetuity. But if we can plan during prosperous times for a fallback estate, that may be a way to maintain some measure of continuity. Today, everything seems in order, but two matters remain unsettled. If these two things were properly arranged, we might preserve ourselves in the days to come."

Xifeng asked what they were. Qin Keqing said, "Though our ancestral graves are regularly tended at the four seasons, there is no fixed endowment for the offerings. Second, though the family school is established, it too has no fixed support. In my opinion, while we are wealthy we naturally lack for nothing, but when we decline, where will these funds come from? I suggest that, while we still have wealth, we buy more farmlands, estates, and acreage near the ancestral graves. Let the expenses for offerings come from this land, and let the family school be established there as well. Let all members of the clan, old and young, draw up rules, and let each branch take turns managing the lands, revenues, offerings, and school affairs for a year. With rotation, there will be no disputes, nor the evils of mortgaging or selling. Moreover, even if a member should commit a crime, while all other property may be confiscated, sacrificial lands are exempt from seizure by the state. Even if we fall, our descendants can return home to study or farm—and our sacrifices will continue forever. If we now think our glory will never end and give no thought to the future, that is no lasting plan. Soon a great joy will come—a time of blazing oil and brocade flowers—but it will be but a flash of brilliance, a moment's pleasure. Do not forget the saying, 'Even the grandest feast must break up.' If we do not plan ahead now, when that time comes, repentance will be too late." Xifeng asked, "What great joy?" Qin Keqing said, "Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed. But since we have been close, I leave you two lines to remember." She then recited:

When the three springs have passed, all flowers will fade,
And each must find her own way through the shade.

Xifeng was about to ask more when the cloud-shaped gong at the second gate struck four times, waking her. A servant announced, "The young mistress of the east mansion, Madam Rong, is dead." Xifeng broke out in a cold sweat and sat dazed for a long while. Then she hurriedly dressed and went to Lady Wang's quarters.

Soon the whole household knew. All were astonished and somewhat suspicious. The elders remembered her filial piety; her peers remembered her kindness and affability; the younger ones remembered her gentle care; and the old servants and lowly maids remembered her compassion for the poor and her kindness to the old and young. All wailed and wept bitterly.

But let us leave that. Baoyu, with Lin Daiyu gone, felt lonely and had little heart for playing with others. Each evening he had gone to bed listlessly. When he heard in his sleep that Qin Keqing was dead, he sprang up, feeling as if a knife had pierced his heart, and with a cry, spat out a mouthful of blood. Xiren and the others rushed to support him, asking what was wrong, and were about to report to the Dowager for a doctor. Baoyu smiled, "No need—it's nothing. It was just a rush of heat to the heart, the blood leaving its proper course." He got up, called for fresh clothes, and went to see the Dowager, insisting on going over at once. Xiren was worried but dared not stop him. The Dowager said, "The dead are unclean, and the night wind is strong—wait till morning." But Baoyu would not listen. She ordered a carriage and extra attendants to escort him.

Arriving at the Ning Mansion, he saw the gates wide open, lanterns blazing as bright as day, and a throng of people coming and going. Wails shook the air. Baoyu alighted, hurried to the hall where the body lay, and wept bitterly. Then he went to see You Shi, who was laid up with her old stomach complaint. Next he saw Jia Zhen, who was weeping like a child, surrounded by Jia Dairu, Daixiu, Jia Chi, Jia Xiao, Jia Dun, Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Cong, Jia Heng, Jia Guang, Jia Chen, Jia Qiong, Jia Lin, Jia Qiang, Jia Chang, Jia Ling, Jia Yun, Jia Qin, Jia Zhen, Jia Ping, Jia Zao, Jia Heng, Jia Fen, Jia Fang, Jia Lan, Jia Jun, Jia Zhi—all had come. Jia Zhen, tears streaming, was saying to Jia Dairu and the others, "Everyone in the family, near and far, knew that this daughter-in-law of mine was worth ten times my son. Now that she is gone, it seems the elder branch is doomed to extinction." With that he wept again. They all tried to console him: "Since she is gone, tears will not help. Let us discuss the arrangements." Jia Zhen clapped his hands, "What arrangements? Whatever I have, I will spend!"

Just then Qin Ye, Qin Zhong, and You Shi's sisters arrived. Jia Zhen sent Jia Qiong, Jia Chen, Jia Lin, and Jia Qiang to attend to the guests, and ordered that the Imperial Astronomer be summoned to choose the funeral dates. The coffin was to lie in state for forty-nine days, with the wake beginning in three days and funeral notices sent out. For those forty-nine days, one hundred and eight Chan monks were invited to chant the Great Compassion Litany in the main hall, to expiate the sins of the departed and all previous souls. On the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, ninety-nine Taoist priests of the Complete Reality sect were to perform a forty-nine-day rite of absolution. Then the coffin would be placed in Huifang Garden, where fifty eminent monks and fifty Taoist priests would hold alternating services every seven days. As for Jia Jing, when he heard that his eldest grandson's wife had died, since he believed he would soon ascend to immortality, he would not think of returning to the mundane world to squander his spiritual achievements. He left everything to Jia Zhen.

Jia Zhen, unchecked by his father, grew even more extravagant. He looked at coffin planks—the ordinary cedar boards would not do. Just then, Xue Pan arrived to offer condolences and, seeing Jia Zhen searching for good wood, said, "Our timber shop has a type of wood called 'Qiang,' from the Iron Net Mountain on the Sea of Huang. A coffin made from it will last ten thousand years. My late father brought it to the capital; it was originally intended for the Prince of Yizhong, but he fell from favour and never used it. It has been sealed in the shop ever since—no one dares bid for it. If you want it, I'll have it brought over." Jia Zhen was overjoyed and ordered it fetched. Everyone marvelled at the boards, a full eight inches thick, with a grain like betel nut and a fragrance of sandalwood and musk, ringing like gold or jade when tapped. Jia Zhen smiled and asked its price. Xue Pan laughed, "Even with a thousand taels, you might not find such wood elsewhere. What price? Just give the workmen a few taels for their trouble." Jia Zhen thanked him profusely and ordered it sawn and lacquered. Jia Zheng advised, "This wood is probably not meant for ordinary people—a good cedar coffin would suffice." But Jia Zhen, who would gladly have died in Qin Keqing's place, would not listen.

Word came that Qin Keqing's maid Ruizhu, upon her mistress's death, had dashed her head against a pillar and died. This rare event won the admiration of the whole clan. Jia Zhen had her buried with the rites of a granddaughter and placed her coffin in the Ascension Pavilion in Huifang Garden. Another maid, Baozhu, seeing that Qin Keqing had no children, offered to become her adopted daughter and take on the role of chief mourner. Jia Zhen was delighted and ordered that she be addressed as "Miss." Baozhu mourned by the coffin with the rites of an unmarried daughter, weeping bitterly. All the clan and household followed the prescribed rites with due order.

Jia Zhen fretted that Jia Rong was only a student of the Imperial College, and the name on the funeral banners and spirit tablet would look unimpressive—and the retinue would be sparse. It chanced that on the fourth day of the wake, Dai Quan, the chief eunuch of the Grand Palace, sent sacrificial gifts and then came in his great sedan chair with an escort of umbrellas and gongs to pay his respects. Jia Zhen received him and led him to the Bee Pavilion for tea. Seizing the opportunity, Jia Zhen mentioned that he wished to purchase a rank for Jia Rong. Dai Quan understood and said, "For greater splendour at the funeral, I suppose." Jia Zhen said, "You are right." Dai Quan said, "As it happens, there is an excellent vacancy. Of the three hundred Dragon-Guard posts, two are now empty. Yesterday the third brother of the Marquis of Xiangyang came to me with fifteen hundred taels—I accepted, out of respect for his grandfather. There is still one vacancy, and Eunuch Feng of Yongxing Commandery has been pressing me for his son, but I've not had time to answer. Since it's for our own boy, have his credentials written out quickly." Jia Zhen gave the order, and a red slip was soon brought. It read:

Jia Rong, student of the Imperial College, of Jiangning County, Jiangning Prefecture, Jiangnan, aged twenty. Great-grandfather: Jia Daihua, former Commissioner of the Capital Garrison, hereditary First-Class Majestic General. Grandfather: Jia Jing, Presented Scholar of the Yi-Mao year. Father: Jia Zhen, hereditary Third-Class Duke of Majestic Might.

Dai Quan read it, handed it to his personal attendant, and said, "Take this to Old Zhao at the Board of Revenue. Tell him I send greetings, and ask him to issue a warrant for a Fifth-Class Dragon-Guard, with a licence, and fill in these credentials. I shall bring the silver tomorrow." The attendant left, and Dai Quan took his leave. Jia Zhen could not detain him and escorted him out. Before he mounted his sedan, Jia Zhen asked, "Shall I pay the silver at the Board, or send it to your mansion?" Dai Quan said, "If you pay at the Board, you'll be cheated. Better send twelve hundred taels to my house." Jia Zhen thanked him profusely, saying, "When the mourning is over, I will bring my son to thank you in person." They parted.

Soon came the sound of outriders announcing the arrival of the wife of Marquis Zhongjing, Shi Ding. Lady Wang, Lady Xing, and Xifeng had just welcomed her into the main hall when the sacrificial offerings of the Marquis of Jinxiang, the Marquis of Chuannin, and the Earl of Shoushan were set before the coffin. Presently the three gentlemen alighted, and Jia Zheng and the others received them in the main hall. Relatives and friends came and went in an endless stream. For forty-nine days, the street before the Ning Mansion was a sea of white mourning garments and a pageant of officials.

Jia Zhen ordered Jia Rong, the next day, to change into festive robes and receive his diploma. The funeral decorations and retinue were now all on the scale of a Fifth-Class official. The spirit tablet and scroll bore the title "By Imperial Decree Ennobled Lady of the Jia Family, Qin, Lady of Courtesy." The great gate on Huifang Garden Street was thrown open, with music pavilions on both sides and two rows of musicians in blue. Rank upon rank of ceremonial banners were set in order, and two vermilion placards with gold characters stood before the gate, proclaiming: "Dragon-Guard and Imperial Bodyguard of the Forbidden Palace." Opposite rose a high altar, and notices were posted, declaring: "The Funeral of the Lady of Courtesy of the Jia Family, Qin, wife of the grandson of the Hereditary Duke of Ningguo, and Dragon-Guard and Imperial Bodyguard of the Forbidden Palace. At the most central place of the Four Great Continents, in the realm of Eternal Peace, the Directors of the Buddhist and Taoist Orders, Wan Xu and Ye Sheng, respectfully conduct this forty-nine-day Water-and-Land ceremony for the remission of sins." But we need not record all the details.

Though Jia Zhen was satisfied with the outward show, You Shi's illness meant there was no one to manage the inner household. With so many noble ladies coming and going, he feared being shamed by any lack of etiquette. While he was fretting, Baoyu, who was nearby, asked, "Everything seems in order—what more is troubling you, Cousin?" Jia Zhen explained the need for someone inside. Baoyu laughed, "That's easy—I can recommend someone to manage things for a month, and you can be sure it will be done well." Jia Zhen asked who. Baoyu, seeing many guests present, whispered two words in his ear. Jia Zhen was overjoyed and rose at once, saying, "That will be perfect—let us go now." He took Baoyu's hand, excused himself, and went to the main hall.

As it happened, this was not a major day, and few relatives had come. Only a few near female relations—Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Xifeng, and others of the clan—were sitting within. When they heard "The master is coming," they all cried out and hid themselves, except Xifeng, who rose calmly. Jia Zhen, unwell with a complaint of his own and worn out with grief, entered leaning on a staff. Lady Xing and the others said, "You are unwell and busy—you should rest. Why have you come in?" Jia Zhen, supporting himself on his staff, struggled to kneel and greet them. They told Baoyu to hold him up and had a chair brought, but he refused to sit. "Nephew has come with a request," he said with an effort, "to beg help of my two aunts and my sister." They asked what it was. He said, "My daughter-in-law is dead, and my wife has fallen ill—the inner household is in complete disarray. I beg you to let my sister take charge here for a month—then I shall be at ease." Lady Xing laughed, "Is that all? Your sister is at her aunt's house—you must ask her." Lady Wang said, "She is only a child, and has never handled such affairs. If she mismanages it, people will laugh. Better ask someone else." Jia Zhen said, "I know what you mean, Aunt—you fear she will be overworked. But if she cannot manage it, I will vouch that she can. Even if she makes a slight error, others will not think the worse of her. From girlhood she has had a decisive manner, and now, married and managing affairs at the other mansion, she has grown even more experienced. I have thought for days—there is no one else but her. If not for my sake, Aunt, or my wife's, then for the dead girl's sake!" And he wept.

Lady Wang's concern had been that Xifeng, inexperienced in funerals, might make mistakes and be mocked. But Jia Zhen's earnest pleading softened her, and she looked at Xifeng. Xifeng, who always loved to take on responsibilities and show off her abilities, though she managed the household well, had never handled a major funeral or wedding and feared others might not fully respect her—she was eager for such an opportunity. Seeing Jia Zhen so desperate, she was delighted. She had seen Lady Wang's hesitation and, now that Lady Wang seemed to relent, said, "Cousin Zhen pleads so sincerely, Aunt, you might as well agree." Lady Wang asked quietly, "Are you up to it?" Xifeng said, "What is there to fear? The external affairs are all settled by Cousin Zhen—I have only to manage the inside. If I am unsure, I can ask you." Lady Wang saw the sense in this and said no more. Jia Zhen, seeing Xifeng had agreed, bowed, "I beg you to take the trouble. Let me make my bow to you now, and when it is over, I will thank you at the other mansion." He made a deep bow, which Xifeng quickly returned.

Jia Zhen then took from his sleeve the tally for the Ning Mansion and told Baoyu to give it to Xifeng. "Sister," he said, "do as you please. Whatever you need, use this tally to obtain it—no need to ask me. Only do not try to save money—let it be done handsomely. And treat the people as they are treated in the other mansion—do not fear complaints. Apart from these two things, I have no other concerns." Xifeng hesitated to take the tally and looked at Lady Wang. Lady Wang said, "Since your cousin says so, you may take charge. But do not act entirely on your own—if anything arises, send word to ask your brother and sister-in-law." Baoyu had already taken the tally from Jia Zhen and pressed it into Xifeng's hand. Jia Zhen asked, "Will you stay here or come every day? If you come daily, it will be more tiring. Let me have a courtyard quickly made ready for you to stay." Xifeng smiled, "No need—I am needed at the other mansion too. It is better to come every day." So Jia Zhen gave up the idea. After a little more talk, he went out.

When the ladies had dispersed, Lady Wang asked Xifeng, "What will you do today?" Xifeng said, "Please go back, Aunt. I must first sort things out before I return." Lady Wang then left with Lady Xing and the others.

Xifeng went into a three-room annex and sat down to think. She saw five main problems in the Ning household: first, the mingling of people made it easy to lose things; second, no one was assigned specific duties, so tasks were passed from hand to hand; third, expenses were uncontrolled, with false claims and excessive spending; fourth, jobs were not apportioned fairly, so some worked hard while others did little; fifth, the servants were arrogant and the favoured ones refused supervision, while the lowly could not get ahead. These five flaws were deeply ingrained in the Ning mansion. How Xifeng dealt with them, we shall hear in the next chapter. As the verse says:

In purple robes and golden seals, who can rule the state?
Yet a woman in skirts may well manage a household.