Chapter 66
Bao Er’s wife gave him a rap and laughed. “So some of it was true after all, and that’s why you’ve made up all this nonsense, more far-fetched than ever. You don’t sound like one of the Second Master’s men. Such talk sounds more like something from Baoyu’s lot.”
Second Sister You was about to ask more when Third Sister You smiled and asked, “Tell me, what does that Baoyu of yours do besides go to school?”
Xing’er laughed. “Auntie, don’t ask about him. Even if I told you, you might not believe it. He has grown so big, but he is the only one who has never attended a proper school. From our ancestors down to the Second Master, who has not studied ten years at a cold window? He alone dislikes reading. He is the old lady’s darling. The master tried to control him at first, but now he does not dare. All day long he is half crazy, saying things people do not understand and doing things people cannot fathom. Outsiders see his handsome face and think he must be clever, but he is fair without and muddled within. When he meets people, he cannot say a word. For all his virtues, though he never went to school, he does know a few characters. Every day he neither studies letters nor practices martial arts. He is afraid of meeting people and only likes to romp among the maids. And he has no firmness or gentleness. Sometimes when he sees us, if he is in a good mood he forgets rank and we all play together; if he is not, he goes off by himself and ignores everyone. We may sit or lie down, and if we ignore him, he does not scold us. So no one is afraid of him. We do as we please, and it all passes.”
Third Sister You smiled. “When the master is easygoing, you take advantage; when he is strict, you complain. You are hard to please.”
Second Sister You said, “He seemed quite nice to us. So that is how he is. What a pity for such a handsome face.”
Third Sister You said, “Sister, do not believe his nonsense. We have not met him only once or twice. In his manners, speech, eating, and drinking, he does have a girlish air, but that is only because he has been spoiled inside. If you call him muddled, where is he muddled? Sister, remember when we were in mourning together. That day the monks came in to circle the coffin. We were all standing there, and he stood in front to shield us. People said he had no manners and no sense of propriety. Afterwards he quietly told us, ‘Sisters, you do not know. It is not that I have no sense of propriety. I thought the monks were dirty, and I was afraid their smell would offend you.’ Then he was drinking tea, and you wanted tea too, and the old woman used his bowl to pour it. He hurried to say, ‘That bowl is dirty from my drinking. Wash it and bring another.’ From these two things, I saw with a cold eye that he always behaves well toward girls, only he does not fit outsiders’ notions, so they do not understand him.”
Second Sister You laughed. “By your account, you two are already kindred spirits. Why not marry you to him? Would that not be good?”
Third Sister You, because Xing’er was there, did not answer, but lowered her head and cracked melon seeds.
Xing’er laughed. “As for looks and conduct, they would make a fine pair. But he already has someone in mind, though it has not come out yet. In the future it will surely be Miss Lin. Because Miss Lin is often ill, and they are both still young, it has not been settled. In two or three years, when the old lady speaks, there can be no doubt.”
While they were talking, Long’er came again and said, “The master has business, a confidential important matter. He is sending the Second Master to Ping’an Prefecture. He will set out in three or five days, and the round trip will take half a month. He cannot come today. Please, Old Mrs. You, settle that matter with Second Aunt early, so when the master comes tomorrow he can make a decision.” With that, he took Xing’er and went back.
Second Sister You ordered the door closed and went to bed early, and questioned her sister all night. The next afternoon Jia Lian finally came.
Second Sister You urged him, “Since you have important business, why hurry here? Do not let me make you neglect it.”
Jia Lian said, “It is nothing much, only a long journey has come up. I will set out after the month, and it will be half a month before I return.”
Second Sister You said, “In that case, set your mind at ease and go. You need not worry about anything here. Third Sister is not one to change from morning to night. She has said she will reform, and she will. She has chosen her man. You need only agree.”
Jia Lian asked who. Second Sister You smiled. “The man is not here now, and no one knows when he will come. It is hard on her eyes. She said herself that if he does not come in a year, she will wait a year; if he does not come in ten years, she will wait ten years; if he dies and never comes, she is willing to shave her head and become a nun, eat vegetarian food, and chant Buddha’s name for the rest of her life.”
Jia Lian asked, “Who on earth is it that moves her heart so?”
Second Sister smiled. “It is a long story. Five years ago, when our old grandmother’s family celebrated a birthday, Mother and we went there to congratulate her. They invited a troupe of amateur actors. Among them was one who played young male roles, named Liu Xianglian. She took a fancy to him, and now she will marry no one but him. Last year we heard Liu Xianglian got into trouble and ran away. I wonder if he has come back.”
Jia Lian said, “No wonder! I wondered what sort of man it was. So it is he! Her judgment is good. You do not know this Second Brother Liu. Handsome as he is, he has the coldest face and heart. To most people he is utterly heartless. He is closest to Baoyu. Last year, because he beat that fool Xue, he was ashamed to face us and went off somewhere. Later I heard someone say he had returned, but I do not know if it is true. Ask Baoyu’s pages and we will know. If he does not come, he wanders like duckweed and waves; who knows how many years before he returns? Would she not be wasting her time?”
Second Sister You said, “Our Third Sister says what she means and means what she says. Whatever she says, we must let her have her way.”
While they were talking, Third Sister You came in and said, “Brother-in-law, set your mind at ease. We are not people whose hearts and mouths differ. We mean what we say. If Liu comes, I will marry him. From today on, I will eat vegetarian food and chant Buddha’s name, and only serve Mother. When he comes, I will marry him. If he does not come in a hundred years, I will go off to cultivate myself.” She took a jade hairpin and broke it in two. “If one word of this is untrue, may I be like this hairpin!” She went back to her room, and truly began to act and speak only in accordance with propriety.
Jia Lian had no way out. He discussed household affairs with Second Sister for a while, then returned home to discuss his departure with Xifeng. He sent someone to ask Tealeaf, who said, “I really do not know. He probably has not come. If he had, I would know.” He also asked Liu’s neighbors, who also said he had not come. Jia Lian had to report this to Second Sister. When the time of departure drew near, two days before, he said he was leaving, but first went to Second Sister’s place to stay two nights, and from there set out quietly on his long journey. He saw that Third Sister had indeed become a different person, and that Second Sister managed the household diligently and carefully, so he had no need to worry.
He left the city early one morning and took the highway to Ping’an Prefecture, traveling by day and resting by night, drinking when thirsty and eating when hungry. After three days, as he was going along, he met a train of pack animals. Among them was a group of about ten riders, master and servants. As they came closer, he saw it was none other than Xue Pan and Liu Xianglian. Jia Lian was astonished. He urged his horse forward to meet them. They greeted one another and exchanged news since parting, then went into a wineshop to rest and talk.
Jia Lian said with a smile, “After that row, we were busy trying to reconcile you two, but then Brother Liu vanished without a trace. How is it that you two are together today?”
Xue Pan laughed. “There is nothing so strange in the world. I was trading goods with my partners. We set out in spring and were on our way back, safe the whole way. But the day before yesterday, when we reached the border of Ping’an Prefecture, we met a band of robbers who seized our goods. I never expected Brother Liu to come from that direction, scatter the robbers, recover the goods, and save our lives. I thanked him, but he would not accept. So we swore brotherhood, to live and die together, and are now going to the capital together. From now on we are as close as real brothers. At the fork ahead we shall part. He will go south two hundred li to visit an aunt. I will go on to the capital first to settle my affairs, then find him a house and a good marriage, and we shall all live well.”
Jia Lian said, “So that is how it is. You have kept us anxious for days.” Then, hearing of finding a wife, he quickly said, “I have just the right match for Second Brother.” He told how he had married the You sister and now wished to marry off the younger sister, but did not mention that Third Sister You had chosen for herself. He also told Xue Pan not to tell the family yet; when a son was born, they would naturally know.
Xue Pan was delighted. “It should have been done long ago. This is all my cousin’s fault.” Liu Xianglian quickly laughed. “You are forgetting yourself again. Hold your tongue.” Xue Pan stopped and said, “If that is the case, this marriage must be made.”
Xianglian said, “I had always wished to marry a woman of peerless beauty. Now, since you and your brother are so kind, I cannot stand on ceremony. I leave it to your decision and will obey.”
Jia Lian smiled. “Words are no proof. When you see her, Brother Liu, you will know that my sister-in-law’s beauty and character are unmatched in ancient or modern times.”
Xianglian was delighted. “If so, after I have visited my aunt, I shall be in the capital by the middle of the month. We can settle it then.”
Jia Lian smiled. “Let us have a word of honor. But I cannot quite trust you, Brother Liu. You wander like duckweed and waves. If you are delayed and do not return, you will ruin her. You must leave a betrothal token.”
Xianglian said, “How could a true man break his word? I am poor, and besides, I am traveling. How could I have a betrothal gift?”
Xue Pan said, “I have things ready here. I will prepare a gift for Second Brother to take.”
Jia Lian smiled. “No need for gold or silk. It must be something of Brother Liu’s own, no matter whether precious or not. I will take it merely as a pledge.”
Xianglian said, “If that is so, I have nothing else. This sword is for defense and cannot be taken off. In my bag there is a pair of Mandarin Duck Swords, heirlooms of my family. I do not dare use them lightly, but only carry them with me. Please take them as the betrothal token, Brother Jia. Though I am by nature like flowing water and falling flowers, I would never willingly part with these swords.”
With that, he opened his bag, took out the swords, and presented them to Jia Lian. Jia Lian ordered a servant to put them away. They drank a few more cups, then mounted their horses, took leave, and set off. Truly: The general does not dismount; each hurries on his own road.
One day Jia Lian reached Ping’an Prefecture, saw the military commissioner, and finished his official business. The commissioner told him to be sure to return around the tenth month. Jia Lian accepted the order. The next day he hurried home by the road, going first to visit Second Sister You.
After Jia Lian left, Second Sister You managed the household with great prudence and strictness, keeping the doors closed and hearing nothing of outside affairs. Her younger sister was indeed a person of firm resolve. Every day, besides serving her mother and sister, she kept to her place and lived simply. Though at night she lay alone under a single quilt and was not used to loneliness, she had set her heart on one man and only thought of Liu Xianglian returning early to complete their lifelong union.
That day Jia Lian entered and saw this state of things. He was overjoyed and deeply grateful for Second Sister’s virtue. After they had exchanged greetings, Jia Lian told them of meeting Xianglian on the road and took out the Mandarin Duck Swords and handed them to Third Sister.
Third Sister looked at them. They were wrought with dragons and guardians, inlaid with jewels that glittered. When she pulled at the hilt, there were two swords fitted together. One was engraved with the character “Mandarin,” the other with “Duck.” They were cold and bright, like two traces of autumn water. Third Sister was overjoyed. She put them away and hung them on the wall of her embroidered chamber. Every day she gazed at the swords and smiled to herself, knowing her life had found its support.
Jia Lian stayed two days, then went back to report to his father and see the whole household. By then Xifeng had recovered greatly and was up and about managing affairs. Jia Lian told Jia Zhen about the matter. Jia Zhen, having recently made new friends, had put it out of his mind and did not care. He let Jia Lian decide. But fearing Jia Lian could not manage alone, he gave him thirty taels of silver. Jia Lian gave it to Second Sister to prepare the dowry.
Unexpectedly, it was the eighth month before Xianglian entered the capital. He first went to pay his respects to Aunt Xue and met Xue Ke. He learned that Xue Pan, unused to wind and frost and unable to adapt to the climate, had fallen ill as soon as he reached the capital and was at home under a doctor’s care. Hearing Xianglian had come, he invited him into his bedroom. Aunt Xue did not dwell on old grievances but only felt gratitude for his new kindness. Mother and son thanked him profusely. They also spoke of the marriage. Everything was ready, only awaiting the choice of an auspicious day. Liu Xianglian was deeply grateful.
The next day he came to see Baoyu. The two met like fish in water. Xianglian asked about Jia Lian’s secret second marriage. Baoyu smiled. “I heard Tealeaf and the others talking about it, but I have not seen her, and I did not dare meddle. I also heard Tealeaf say that Cousin Lian was asking about you. I do not know what he wanted to say.”
Xianglian told Baoyu everything that had happened on the road. Baoyu laughed. “A great happiness! A great happiness! It is rare to find such a beauty. She is indeed peerless in ancient and modern times, and worthy of you.”
Xianglian said, “If that is so, why should she think of me when there are plenty of fine men there? Besides, I have never been close to him, so he would not be so concerned. On the road, in such haste, he pressed me again and again to settle it. Is the bride’s family to chase the groom’s? I began to have doubts and regretted leaving the swords as a pledge. So I thought of you, to ask in detail and get to the bottom of it.”
Baoyu said, “You are a careful man. Why, after giving the betrothal gift, do you begin to doubt? You said you only wanted a peerless beauty. Now that you have one, that should be enough. Why doubt further?”
Xianglian said, “If you did not know he had married, how do you know she is a peerless beauty?”
Baoyu said, “She is one of the two younger sisters brought by the stepmother of Cousin Zhen’s wife. I spent a month with them there. How could I not know? They are truly a pair of temptresses, and their surname is You.”
Xianglian stamped his foot. “This is no good. It absolutely cannot be done. In your East Mansion, except for those two stone lions, I fear even the cats and dogs are not clean. I will not be a leftover cuckold.”
Baoyu blushed. Xianglian, ashamed of his slip, quickly bowed. “I deserve death for talking nonsense. At least tell me, what is her conduct?”
Baoyu smiled. “Since you know so well, why ask me? Even I may not be clean.”
Xianglian smiled. “It was only a momentary slip on my part. Please do not take it to heart.” Baoyu smiled. “Why mention it again? That would be taking it to heart.” Xianglian bowed and took his leave. He thought of going to Xue Pan, but Xue Pan was ill, and besides he was impulsive. Better to go and ask for the betrothal gift back. His mind made up, he went straight to Jia Lian.
Jia Lian was in the new house. Hearing Xianglian had come, he was overjoyed and hurried out to welcome him. He invited him into the inner room to meet Old Mrs. You. Xianglian merely bowed and called her “Old Aunt,” calling himself “your humble junior.” Jia Lian was surprised. Over tea, Xianglian said, “While traveling, I was suddenly pressed for time. Unexpectedly, in the fourth month my aunt betrothed a wife to me, leaving me no way to refuse. If I obeyed you, Brother, I would be going against my aunt, which would not be right. If the pledge were gold or silk, I would not dare ask for it back, but these swords are ancestral heirlooms. I beg you to return them.”
Jia Lian was displeased. “A pledge is a pledge. It was given precisely to prevent regret. How can a marriage be taken up and dropped at will? You must think again.”
Xianglian smiled. “Even so, I am willing to accept blame and punishment, but I cannot obey in this matter.”
Jia Lian was about to argue further, but Xianglian rose and said, “Please, Brother, let us talk outside. It is not convenient here.”
Third Sister You had heard everything clearly from her room. She had waited so long for him to come, and now he suddenly regretted it. She knew he must have heard something in the Jia mansion and despised her as a shameless, unchaste woman unworthy to be his wife. If she let him go out and break the engagement with Jia Lian, Jia Lian would have no way to stop him, and she would be humiliated. Hearing Jia Lian about to go out with him, she quickly took down the swords, hid one of the female blades in her sleeve, and came out, saying, “There is no need to go out and discuss it. Here is your betrothal gift returned.”
Tears streamed down her face. With her left hand she held out the sword and scabbard to Xianglian; with her right hand she turned the blade and drew it across her throat. Alas! “The crushed peach blossoms redden the ground; the jade mountain falls and can no longer be raised.” Her fragrant spirit and orchid nature drifted away into the dim unknown.
Everyone was terrified and tried desperately to save her. Old Mrs. You wailed and cursed Xianglian. Jia Lian seized Xianglian and ordered him bound and sent to the authorities. Second Sister You quickly stopped crying and urged Jia Lian instead. “You are making too much of it. He did not force her to die. She took her own life. What good would it do to send him to the authorities? It would only stir up trouble and disgrace. Better let him go. Would that not be simpler?”
Jia Lian had no idea what to do, so he released him and told him to go quickly. But Xianglian did not move. He wept. “I did not know she was such a steadfast, virtuous wife. Admirable! Admirable!” He leaned over the body and wept bitterly. After the coffin was bought and he had seen her encoffined, he bowed over the coffin and wept again, then took his leave.
He went out with nowhere to go, dazed and silent, thinking over what had just happened. So Third Sister You had been so beautiful and so steadfast. His regret was too late. As he walked, one of Xue Pan’s pages came to find him and take him home. Xianglian was lost in a daze. The page led him into a new room, very neatly furnished. Suddenly he heard the tinkling of jade pendants. Third Sister You came in from outside, holding the Mandarin Duck Swords in one hand and a roll of registers in the other. She said to Liu Xianglian with tears, “I waited for you in foolish love for five years. I did not expect you to be so cold-hearted and cold-faced. I have repaid this foolish love with my death. I have now received the command of the Goddess of Disenchantment to go to the Illusory Realm of the Great Void to record all the love-ghosts in the case. I could not bear to part without seeing you once more, so I came. After this we shall never meet again.” She turned to go. Xianglian could not bear it and tried to catch her and ask more. Third Sister You said, “I came from the heaven of love and go by the way of love. In a former life I was misled by love. Now, ashamed of love, I have awakened. I have nothing more to do with you.” With that, a fragrant wind arose, and she vanished without trace.
Xianglian started awake. It seemed a dream yet not a dream. He opened his eyes. There was no Xue family page, nor was it a new room. It was a ruined temple. Beside him sat a cross-legged Taoist catching lice. Xianglian rose, bowed with hands folded, and asked, “Where is this place? What is your immortal name and religious title?” The Taoist laughed. “Even I do not know where this is or who I am. I am only resting my feet here for a while.” At these words Liu Xianglian felt a chill as if ice had entered his bones. He drew out the male sword, swept off all ten thousand strands of worldly trouble, and followed the Taoist away, no one knew where.
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