Chapter 54
Now Jia Zhen and Jia Lian had secretly got ready large hampers of coins. When they heard Lady Jia say, "Reward them!" they hurriedly ordered the pages to scatter the money. The whole stage rang with the sound of coins, and Lady Jia was delighted. The two men rose to their feet, and the pages hastily thrust a new silver wine-warmer into Jia Lian's hand. He and Jia Zhen strode quickly inside. Jia Zhen went first to Aunt Li's table, bowed, and took up her cup; turning, he waited while Jia Lian filled it. Then he went to Aunt Xue's table and filled her cup as well. The two ladies rose at once and said with a smile, "Please be seated, gentlemen. There's no need for such ceremony." Thereupon everyone at the table rose and stood respectfully to one side—everyone, that is, except Lady Xing and Lady Wang. Jia Zhen and Jia Lian came before Lady Jia's couch. Because the couch was low, they knelt on bended knee. Jia Zhen held the cup in front, and Jia Lian held the wine-warmer behind. Though only the two of them offered the wine, Jia Huan and the other brothers had also formed......
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