The Dead Are Gone, the Thing Remains: The Young Master Writes a Lyric; A Bow’s Shadow in the Cup, a Snake in the Wine: Daiyu Refuses Food

Xifeng had just risen and was still fretting when she heard the little maid’s report and gave another start. She quickly asked, “What official business?”

The little maid said, “I do not know either. The page at the inner gate passed on the message that there is urgent government business at the Ministry. The mistress asks the Second Master to go over at once.”

When Xifeng heard it was a matter for the Ministry of Works, her heart relaxed a little. She said to the maid, “Go back and report to the mistress that the Second Master went out of the city last night on business and has not yet returned. Send someone first to tell Master Zhen to deal with it.” The little maid assented and left.

Before long Jia Zhen came out to receive the men from the Ministry of Works. After he had asked what the matter was, he went in and reported to Lady Wang: “Word has come from the Ministry of Works that yesterday the Director-General of Riverways memorialized the throne. The dikes in the Henan region have broken, and several prefectures and counties have been flooded. The court is going to allocate silver from the treasury to repair the city walls and dikes. Officials from the Ministry of Works are to be sent to supervise the work, so they came especially to inform the master.” Then he withdrew to wait for Jia Zheng to come home and give him a fuller report. From this time until winter, Jia Zheng was busy at the office every day. The discipline over Baoyu’s studies gradually loosened, but for fear Jia Zheng would notice, Baoyu still often went to school. Even to Daiyu’s rooms he did not dare go frequently.

In a flash it was the middle of the tenth month. One day Baoyu got up and prepared to go to school. The weather had suddenly turned cold. Xiren had already packed a bundle of clothes and said to Baoyu, “It is very cold today. You had better dress warmly morning and evening.” She took out the clothes and chose one for Baoyu to put on. She wrapped another separately and gave it to a little maid to carry to Beiming. She instructed, “The weather is cold. If the Second Master wants to add clothes, have them ready.” Beiming agreed and, hugging the felt bundle, followed Baoyu out.

When Baoyu reached the school and had finished his lessons, he suddenly heard the wind howling outside the window. Mr. Dai-ru said, “It has turned cold again.” He pushed open the wind-door, and they saw layer upon layer of black clouds in the northwest pressing toward the southeast. Beiming came in and said to Baoyu, “Second Master, it is cold. Put on another garment.” Baoyu nodded. Beiming brought the clothes in. The moment Baoyu saw them, he froze. The other boys in the school all stared. It was the peacock-feather cloak Qingwen had mended for him while ill.

Baoyu said, “Why did you bring this one? Who gave it to you?”

Beiming said, “The young ladies in the inner rooms packed it and sent it out.”

Baoyu said, “I am not really cold. I will not put it on for now. Wrap it up and keep it.”

Mr. Dai-ru thought Baoyu was reluctant to wear such a precious garment and inwardly praised him for knowing frugality.

Beiming urged, “Second Master, put it on. If you catch cold, it will be my fault. Have pity on your servant.”

Baoyu had no choice but to put it on. He sat staring blankly at his book. Mr. Dai-ru assumed he was concentrating and thought no more of it.

When school let out in the evening, Baoyu made the excuse of illness and asked for a day’s leave. Mr. Dai-ru was old, and teaching was only a way to pass the time with a few children. He himself was ill with one complaint or another all year round, and one less student was less trouble. Besides, he knew Jia Zheng was busy with official business and Grandmother Jia doted on Baoyu, so he nodded and granted the leave.

Baoyu went straight home and paid his respects to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, also saying he was unwell. Naturally they believed him. After sitting a little while, he returned to Prospect Garden. When he saw Xiren and the others, he did not laugh and talk as usual, but lay down on the kang in his clothes.

Xiren asked, “Dinner is ready. Will you eat now or wait a while?”

Baoyu said, “I do not want any. I feel miserable inside. You all go and eat.”

Xiren said, “Then you should at least change out of this garment. The material cannot stand rough handling.”

Baoyu said, “No need to change.”

Xiren said, “It is not only the material that is delicate. Look at the stitching on it. It should not be treated so carelessly either.”

These words struck exactly at Baoyu’s heart. He gave a long sigh. “Since that is so, wrap it up carefully. I will never wear this again.” As he spoke, he got up and took off the cloak. Xiren was about to take it, but Baoyu folded it himself.

Xiren smiled. “Why are you so industrious today, Second Master?” Baoyu did not answer. After folding it, he asked, “Where is the cloth it was wrapped in?” Sheyue quickly handed it over and watched him wrap it with his own hands. Then she turned and exchanged a hidden smile with Xiren. Baoyu noticed nothing. He sat alone, listless. Suddenly he heard the mantel clock strike. He looked down at his watch. It was already past five in the afternoon. A little maid lit the lamp.

Xiren urged him, “If you will not eat, at least take some porridge. Do not go hungry and stir up empty fire in your body. In the end it will only make trouble for us.”

Baoyu shook his head. “I am not hungry. If I force myself to eat, I will only feel worse.”

Xiren said, “If that is so, then you may as well rest early.” Xiren and Sheyue prepared the bed. Baoyu lay down but tossed and turned and could not sleep. Only near dawn did he doze off. Before the time of a meal, he woke again.

Xiren and Sheyue had also risen. Xiren said, “Last night I heard you restless until the fifth watch. I did not dare ask. Later I fell asleep. Did you sleep steadily at all?”

Baoyu said, “I slept a little. Then somehow I woke.”

Xiren asked, “Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

Baoyu said, “No. I am only depressed.”

Xiren asked, “Are you going to school today?”

Baoyu said, “Yesterday I already asked for a day’s leave. Today I want to stroll in the garden to cheer myself up, but I fear the cold. Have a room prepared, light a censer, and set out paper and brush. You may all go about your own business. I will sit quietly alone for a while. Do not let anyone disturb me.”

Sheyue said, “If the Second Master wants to sit quietly, who would dare disturb you?”

Xiren said, “That is fine too. It will keep you from catching cold. Sitting alone will calm your mind. Since you do not want to eat, tell the kitchen early what you would like today.”

Baoyu said, “Anything will do. There is no need to make a great fuss. Set out some fruit in the room. I can smell the fragrance.”

Xiren asked, “Which room would be suitable? The other rooms are not very clean. Only the room Qingwen used to live in has been empty a long time and is still fairly clean, though it is chilly and lonely.”

Baoyu said, “That does not matter. Just move a brazier in.” Xiren agreed.

Just then a little maid brought in a tea tray: a bowl of birds’ nest soup and a pair of ivory chopsticks. She handed them to Sheyue. “Sister Xiren told the kitchen to make this. The old woman just brought it.”

Sheyue saw it was birds’ nest soup and asked Xiren, “Did you ask for this?”

Xiren smiled. “Last night the Second Master ate nothing and was restless all night. This morning his stomach must feel empty, so I told the kitchen to stew this.” Xiren set the table, and Sheyue attended while Baoyu drank it and rinsed his mouth. Qiuwen came in and said, “That room is ready. When the charcoal fire is not so hot, the Second Master can go in.” Baoyu nodded. His heart was full, and he had no desire to speak. After a while a little maid came to report that brush, ink, and paper were all prepared. Baoyu merely said he knew. Another little maid asked where breakfast should be served. Baoyu said to bring it there directly; there was no need for trouble.

When breakfast was brought, Baoyu smiled faintly and said to Xiren and Sheyue, “My heart is heavy. If I eat alone, I fear I cannot swallow. Why do you two not eat with me? It will be livelier, and I may eat a few more bites.”

Sheyue smiled. “That is kind of you, Second Master, but we would not dare.”

Xiren said, “It does not really matter. We have drunk wine together before. This is not the first time. Once in a while, to cheer you up, it is all right. If we did it every day, there would be no rules or propriety left.” So the three sat down, Baoyu at the head and Xiren and Sheyue on either side. After eating, a little maid brought tea for rinsing the mouth and cleared the dishes. Baoyu held his tea and sat lost in thought. After a while he asked, “Is that room ready?”

Sheyue said, “I already reported that it was. Why ask again?”

Baoyu sat a little longer, then went to Qingwen’s former room. He lit a stick of incense himself, set out fruit, told the servants to withdraw, and closed the door. Outside, Xiren and the others kept quiet and did not dare make a sound. Baoyu took out a sheet of pink notepaper with gold tracery and painted flowers. After silently murmuring a prayer, he took up the brush and wrote:

The master of Happy Red Court burns this to let Sister Qing know: with tea and clear incense, may she deign to come and partake.

The lyric read:

My constant companion,
Alone my thoughts entwine.
Who knew a storm would rise from level ground,
And in a moment end your life?
With whom now can I speak soft words?

The eastward waters never turn back west.
I dream of you, but there is no dream-bringing herb;
Adding clothes, I see again the kingfisher-cloud cloak.
Silent longing fills me with sorrow.

When he had finished, he lit the paper from the incense and burned it. He waited quietly until the whole stick of incense had burned out, then opened the door and came out.

Xiren asked, “Why have you come out? Do you feel oppressed again?”

Baoyu smiled and pretended. “I was troubled at first, so I found a place to sit quietly. I am better now. I still want to go out and walk a little.” With that he went straight out and headed for Xiaoxiang Lodge. When he reached the courtyard, he called, “Is Cousin Lin at home?”

Zijuan answered, “Who is it?” She lifted the curtain and saw him. She smiled. “So it is Master Bao. The young mistress is in the inner room. Please come in and sit.”

Baoyu followed Zijuan inside. Daiyu said from the inner room, “Zijuan, ask the Second Master to come in and sit.”

Baoyu went to the doorway of the inner room and saw a newly written couplet on purple-ink cloud-dragon paper with gold tracery:

The green window, the bright moon still there;
The blue records, the ancients gone.

Baoyu looked at it and smiled slightly. He went in and asked with a smile, “What are you doing,妹妹?” Daiyu rose and came two steps to meet him, smiling as she offered him a seat. “Please sit. I am copying sutras. Only two lines remain. I will speak with you when I have finished.” She told Xueyan to pour tea. Baoyu said, “Do not get up. Just finish writing.”

Baoyu saw a hanging scroll on the wall. It showed Chang’e with attendants and another female immortal. An attendant held a long bag. Around the two figures were faint clouds, with no unnecessary ornament. It was done in the plain-line style imitating Li Longmian. Above it were three characters: The Contest in the Cold.

Baoyu asked, “Is this Contest in the Cold newly hung,妹妹?”

Daiyu said, “Yes. Yesterday when I was tidying the room, I took it out and hung it up.”

Baoyu asked, “Where does the allusion come from?”

Daiyu smiled. “You know the poem very well. Do you still need to ask me?”

Baoyu smiled. “I cannot recall it for the moment. Tell me,妹妹.”

Daiyu said, “Do you not remember: ‘The Frost Maiden and the Moon Goddess both endure the cold; in the moon and frost they vie in beauty’?”

Baoyu said, “Of course. This painting is rare and elegant. It suits this season perfectly.” As he spoke, he looked around the room.

Xueyan made tea. Baoyu drank and waited. Before long Daiyu finished copying the sutra and rose. “I have kept you waiting.”

Baoyu smiled. “You are still so formal,妹妹.”

Daiyu wore a moon-white embroidered small fur jacket, with a silver-fox waistcoat over it. Her hair was simply gathered in a cloud bun, fastened only with a flat red-gold hairpin, with no other ornaments. Below she wore a rose-pink embroidered padded skirt. Truly:

Slender as a jade tree standing in the wind,
Soft as a fragrant lotus opening in the dew.

Baoyu asked, “Have you played the lute these last two days,妹妹?”

Daiyu said, “I have not played for two days. My hands are cold even when I write. How could I play?”

Baoyu said, “It is just as well not to play. The lute is a refined thing, but it is not an auspicious one. No one ever played the lute and brought wealth and long life; they only play out sorrow and complaint. Playing also requires remembering the score, which taxes the mind. If you ask me,妹妹, you are delicate. You need not spend your heart on it.” Daiyu pressed her lips together and smiled.

Baoyu pointed at the wall. “Is this your lute? Why is it so short?”

Daiyu smiled. “It is not that the lute is short. When I was small and first learning, I could not reach an ordinary lute, so I had one made specially. It is not made of famous jiaowei wood, but the crane-mountain and phoenix-tail parts are well matched, and the dragon-pool and goose-feet are set at the proper heights. See how the crack patterns on it are like ox hair. The tone is still clear and bright.”

Baoyu asked, “Have you written any poems lately,妹妹?”

Daiyu said, “Since the poetry club, I have not written anything long.”

Baoyu smiled. “Do not hide it from me. I heard you chant, ‘I cannot cease—how can my pure heart be like the moon in heaven?’ It sounded especially beautiful with the lute. Was that not so?”

Daiyu asked, “How did you hear it?”

Baoyu said, “That day I was passing Liaofeng Pavilion and heard it. I was afraid of interrupting your playing, so I listened quietly a while and then left. I was just going to ask: the earlier part was in a level tone, but at the end you suddenly changed to an oblique rhyme. What was your intention?”

Daiyu said, “It is the voice of what was in my heart. I wrote as far as I could write. There was no fixed pattern.”

Baoyu said, “So that is how it was. What a pity I do not understand music. I listened for nothing.”

Daiyu said, “Since ancient times, how many true listeners has there ever been?”

When Baoyu heard this, he felt the words were cold and distant, and he feared he had hurt Daiyu. He sat a while. His heart was full of a thousand words, but he did not know how to begin. Daiyu, thinking over what she had just said, also felt her tone had been too cool. So both fell silent. Baoyu suspected Daiyu was being oversensitive. He rose awkwardly. “Sit awhile,妹妹. I will go see Third Sister.”

Daiyu said, “When you see Tanchun, give her my regards.” Baoyu agreed and turned to leave.

Daiyu saw him to the door. When she came back, she sat glumly. She thought: Baoyu has been hesitating in his speech lately, now warm, now cold. I do not know what is in his mind. As she was thinking, Zijuan came in. “Young mistress, are you not copying sutras? Shall I put away the brush and inkstone?”

Daiyu said, “I am not writing anymore. Put them away.” She went to the inner room, lay down on the bed, and thought quietly. Zijuan came in and asked, “Would you like some tea, young mistress?” Daiyu said, “No. I will lie here awhile. You go.”

Zijuan went out and saw Xueyan standing alone in a daze. Zijuan went up to her. “What is on your mind now?”

Xueyan gave a start and said softly, “Do not speak loudly! I heard something. I will tell you, but it is very strange. You must not breathe a word of it.” She gestured toward the room with her lips, drew Zijuan outside under the platform, and whispered, “Sister, have you heard? Baoyu is betrothed!”

Zijuan was startled. “Where did that come from? I fear it is not true.”

Xueyan said, “How could it not be true? Probably everyone knows. Only we are kept in the dark.”

Zijuan asked, “Who told you?”

Xueyan said, “I heard it from Shishu. It is the daughter of a prefect. Her family is well off, and she herself is good. A few days ago I went to Third Miss’s rooms to thank her. Tanchun was not there, only Shishu. We chatted, and I said Master Bao was fond of play and not like a grown man. Shishu said he was already betrothed and still so silly. I asked if it was settled. She said it was. A certain Mr. Wang acted as matchmaker. Mr. Wang is a relative of the East Mansion. One mention and it was settled.”

Zijuan lowered her head and thought: This is strange. She asked again, “Why has no one in the household mentioned it?”

Xueyan said, “Shishu said it was the Old Ancestor’s idea. She feared that if it were spoken of, Baoyu’s mind would be unsettled, so it is kept from everyone. Shishu told me I must never reveal it. I am telling only you.”

Just then the parrot in the room suddenly cried, “The young mistress is back! Bring tea quickly!” Zijuan and Xueyan jumped. They looked back and saw no one, scolded the parrot, and went inside. They saw Daiyu sitting breathlessly in a chair. Zijuan had to pretend to ask about tea. Daiyu asked, “Where did you two go? I called for a long time and no one answered.” Then she went to the kang and lay down, letting down the bed curtain. Zijuan and Xueyan withdrew, worried that Daiyu had overheard them. They did not dare mention it again.

But Daiyu’s heart was full of care. She had just overheard their talk. Though she had not heard all of it, she understood seven or eight parts, as if she had fallen into a vast sea. Thinking back and forth, it seemed to confirm the evil omen in her former dream. A thousand sorrows and griefs surged up in her heart. She secretly resolved: It would be better to die early, rather than live to see Baoyu married and be left with nothing but heartbreak. Thinking of her parents dead and herself alone and helpless, she made up her mind to ruin her health. In a year or half a year, all would be over. She stopped covering herself with the quilt and refused to add clothes. She lay with her eyes closed. Zijuan and Xueyan came several times to attend her but did not dare wake her. She would not eat a bite of dinner. After the lamps were lit, Zijuan lifted the curtain and saw she was asleep, with the quilt kicked down to her feet. Afraid she would catch cold, Zijuan gently covered her again. As soon as Zijuan left, Daiyu kicked the quilt off once more.

Zijuan asked Xueyan privately, “Is what you said today true or false?”

Xueyan said, “Of course it is true.”

Zijuan asked, “Where did Shishu hear it?”

Xueyan said, “Xiaohong passed it on.”

Zijuan said, “I am afraid the young mistress heard us just now. You saw how she looked. Something was wrong. From now on we must never mention this again.” The two prepared to rest. Zijuan looked at Daiyu again. The quilt was kicked off again. She gently covered her once more. The night passed without further words.

The next morning Daiyu did not wait for the maids to call her. She sat up alone in a daze. Zijuan woke and was startled. “Why are you up so early, young mistress?”

Daiyu said, “I slept early, so I woke early.” Zijuan quickly woke Xueyan and attended her washing and dressing. Daiyu looked into the mirror and stared blankly at her own reflection. Tears fell without cease and soaked her handkerchief. Truly:

A thin shadow faces the spring water’s mirror;
You must pity me, and I pity you.

Zijuan stood nearby and did not dare urge her, for fear of stirring up more grief. After a long time Daiyu finished washing hastily, tears still on her face. She sat awhile and told Zijuan, “Light the Tibetan incense.”

Zijuan said, “You have not slept long, young mistress. Why light incense? Are you going to copy sutras?” Daiyu nodded.

Zijuan said, “You woke too early today, and now you will write again. I fear it will tax your mind too much.”

Daiyu said, “It does not matter. It is better to finish early. I am not doing it for the sake of the sutra. I use writing to distract myself from sorrow. In the future, when you see my handwriting, it will be like seeing me.” As she spoke, tears streamed down. When Zijuan heard this, she did not dare urge her further; she herself also began to weep.

From this time on, Daiyu had made up her mind. She deliberately ruined her health. She had no heart for tea or food, and her appetite dwindled day by day. When Baoyu came home from school, he often found time to visit her. But Daiyu had a thousand words in her heart. Now that they had grown older, she could not speak as openly as she had in childhood. Her whole heart was full, but she could not say it. Baoyu wanted to speak the truth to comfort her, but feared to make her angry and worsen her illness. When the two met, they could only exchange polite and harmless words. Though they were close, they became distant.

Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang pitied Daiyu, but they only called physicians to examine and treat her. They thought it was merely her old illness returning. How could they know it was an illness of the heart? Zijuan and the others understood the reason but did not dare tell anyone. Daiyu grew weaker day by day. After half a month, her stomach and intestines failed, and she could not even swallow porridge. Every idle word she heard seemed to Daiyu to be news of Baoyu’s marriage. Every movement of the servants in Happy Red Court seemed to her like preparations for a wedding. When Aunt Xue came to see her, Daiyu did not see Baochai with her, and her suspicions deepened. She refused all visitors, would not take medicine, and only longed for a quick death. In her sleep she constantly heard someone call “Second Mistress Bao.” Her heart was full of suspicion, like the bow’s shadow mistaken for a snake in the cup. In the end she stopped eating anything at all, even porridge. She was at her last breath, her life in danger. Whether Daiyu would survive, the next chapter will tell.