The Foolish Tyrant Flirts and Gets a Sound Beating; The Aloof Young Gentleman Fears Trouble and Flees His Home

Lady Wang heard that Lady Xing had come and hurried out to meet her. Lady Xing did not yet know that Grandmother Jia had already learned about Yuanyang. She had come to inquire. As she entered the courtyard, several old women quietly told her, and only then did she understand. She wanted to turn back, but it was already known inside, and Lady Wang had come out to receive her. She had no choice but to go in. She first greeted Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia did not say a word. Lady Xing herself felt ashamed and regretful. Xifeng had already found an excuse to slip away. Yuanyang had also gone back to her room in anger. Aunt Xue, Lady Wang, and the others, not wishing to embarrass Lady Xing, gradually withdrew. Lady Xing did not dare leave for the moment.

When Grandmother Jia saw that no one was left, she said, “I hear you have come to act as matchmaker for your husband. You are indeed full of the three obediences and four virtues, but your virtue is excessive! You now have sons and grandsons around your knees, yet you still fear him. You cannot even give him a word of advice, but let your husband do as he pleases!” Lady Xing blushed scarlet and replied, “I have advised him several times, but he will not listen. There is nothing you do not know, Mother. I had no choice.” Grandmother Jia said, “If he told you to kill someone, would you kill them too? Think now. Your brother’s wife is naturally honest, and she is often ill. Is there anything inside or outside that she does not worry about? You, as a daughter-in-law, help her, but every day you drop the rake to take up the broom. I have reduced my own affairs in every way. If there is anything they miss, Yuanyang is more careful. She thinks of my affairs. If something is needed, she gets it; if something must be added, she finds the right moment to tell them. If Yuanyang were not like this, the two of them, inside and out, great and small, would overlook one thing or another. Am I to worry myself again? Or scheme every day to ask you for things? In my rooms, of all the girls, she is the only one left. She is older, and she knows my temper and ways. Besides, she has won the favour of my masters. She does not ask me or this lady for clothes, nor that mistress for silver. So in these years, in all matters, from your sister-in-law and your daughter-in-law down to the whole household, great and small, everyone trusts what she says. So not only do I rely on her, but your sister-in-law and daughter-in-law also have less worry. With such a person, even if my daughter-in-law and grandson’s wife overlook something, I lack nothing and have no cause for anger. If she goes now, what kind of person will you find for me to use? Even if you found a pearl of a girl, if she cannot speak, she is useless. I was just about to send someone to tell your husband: if he wants someone, I have money here. Let him buy one for ten thousand or eight thousand taels. But this maid he cannot have. Let her serve me a few more years. That will be as filial as serving me day and night. You have come at a good time. You go and tell him. That will be more proper.”

After saying this, she called someone: “Invite Aunt Xue and the young ladies to come and talk. We were happy just now. Why have they all dispersed?” The maids hurried to obey. Everyone came back. Only Aunt Xue said to a maid, “I just came. Why go again? Tell her I am asleep.” The maid said, “Dear Aunt Xue, dear ancestress! Our old lady is angry. If you do not go, she will not calm down. Take pity on us. If you are tired, I will carry you on my back.” Aunt Xue said, “You little devil, what are you afraid of? She will only scold a few words and be done.” She had to go with the little maid. Grandmother Jia quickly asked her to sit and smiled, “Let us play cards. Aunt Xue is not used to the game. Let us sit together and not let Xifeng mix us up.” Aunt Xue smiled, “Exactly. Old Lady, keep an eye out for me. Are we four playing, or shall we add someone?” Lady Wang smiled, “It is not only four.” Xifeng said, “One more will make it livelier.” Grandmother Jia said, “Call Yuanyang and have her sit on my left. Aunt Xue’s eyes are dim. Let her watch both our hands.” Xifeng sighed and said to Tanchun, “You who can read and write, why do you not learn fortune-telling?” Tanchun said, “This is strange. Instead of concentrating on winning a few coins from Grandmother, you want to tell fortunes.” Xifeng said, “I want to tell my fortune and see how much I should lose today. Do I still hope to win? Look, before the game begins, ambushes are laid on every side.” Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue both laughed.

Soon Yuanyang came and sat to Grandmother Jia’s left, and below Yuanyang was Xifeng. They spread a red felt, shuffled the cards, and began. After a while, Yuanyang saw that Grandmother Jia’s hand was almost complete, waiting only for a two of circles. She gave Xifeng a secret signal. Xifeng was about to play and deliberately hesitated. She smiled, “This card of mine must be held by Aunt Xue. If I do not play it, I cannot go on.” Aunt Xue said, “I do not have your card.” Xifeng said, “I will check later.” Aunt Xue said, “Check all you like. Play it and let me see what it is.” Xifeng put it before Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue saw it was a two of circles and smiled, “I do not care for it, but I fear Grandmother is complete.” Xifeng quickly smiled, “I played the wrong card.” Grandmother Jia laughed and threw down her cards, saying, “You dare take it back! Who told you to play wrong?” Xifeng said, “I wanted to tell my fortune. I played it myself, so I cannot blame an ambush!” Grandmother Jia smiled, “Indeed. You should slap your own mouth and ask yourself.” She said to Aunt Xue, “I am not mean and eager to win money. It is only for the fun of it.” Aunt Xue smiled, “Of course. Who would be so foolish as to say Old Lady loves money?” Xifeng was counting money. Hearing this, she quickly strung the coins again and smiled to all, “I have enough. It is not for winning money, only for the fun. I am mean after all. When I lose, I count the coins. Put them away quickly.” According to Grandmother Jia’s rule, Yuanyang shuffled for her. Because she was talking and laughing with Aunt Xue, she did not see Yuanyang move. Grandmother Jia said, “Why are you angry and not even shuffling for me?” Yuanyang picked up the cards and smiled, “Second Mistress has not paid.” Grandmother Jia said, “If she does not pay, she is in luck.” She told a little maid, “Bring all her string of cash here.” The little maid did so and put it beside Grandmother Jia. Xifeng smiled, “Give it to me as a reward. I will pay the exact amount.” Aunt Xue smiled, “Xifeng is indeed mean. It is only play.” Xifeng stood up, took Aunt Xue’s hand, and pointing to the small wooden box where Grandmother Jia usually kept money, smiled, “Auntie, look. I do not know how much of mine has been lost in there. This string will not last half an hour before the money in there beckons to it. When this string is called in too, we need not play, Grandmother’s anger will be calmed, and she will have some proper business to send me on.” Before she finished, Grandmother Jia and everyone laughed. Ping’er, afraid there was not enough money, sent another string. Xifeng said, “Do not put it before me. Put it with Grandmother’s. Let it be called in together and save trouble. Do not make the box work twice.” Grandmother Jia laughed so hard that the cards in her hand scattered over the table. She pushed Yuanyang and said, “Quick, slap her mouth!”

Ping’er put down the money as told, laughed a while, and went back. At the courtyard gate she met Jia Lian, who asked, “Where is Lady Xing? The Elder Master told me to invite her over.” Ping’er quickly smiled, “She is with Grandmother. She has been standing there half a day and has not moved. You had better let it go. Grandmother has been angry for a long time. Thanks to Second Mistress’s jokes, she is a little better now.” Jia Lian said, “I will go and say I have come to ask Grandmother whether she will go to Lai Da’s on the fourteenth, so I can prepare the carriage. I will also invite Lady Xing and make Grandmother laugh. Would that not be good?” Ping’er smiled, “I say you had better not go. The whole family, including Lady Wang and Baoyu, have been blamed. If you go now, you will only be filling a hole.” Jia Lian said, “It is over. Can it be patched up? Besides, it has nothing to do with me. Second, the Elder Master himself told me to invite Lady Xing. If I send someone else and he finds out, he will be angry and take it out on me.” He went. Ping’er thought he was right and followed.

When Jia Lian reached the hall, he softened his steps and peeped into the inner room. He saw Lady Xing standing there. Xifeng had sharp eyes and saw him first. She signaled him not to come in and signaled Lady Xing. Lady Xing could not leave at once, so she poured a cup of tea and put it before Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia turned, and Jia Lian, caught off guard, did not dodge in time. Grandmother Jia asked, “Who is outside? It looks like a boy sticking his head in.” Xifeng quickly stood and said, “I thought I saw a shadow. Let me go and see.” She got up and went out. Jia Lian hurried in and smiled, “I came to ask whether Grandmother will go out on the fourteenth, so I can prepare the carriage.” Grandmother Jia said, “If so, why did you not come in? Why play ghosts and spirits?” Jia Lian smiled, “I saw Grandmother playing cards and did not dare disturb you. I only called my wife out to ask.” Grandmother Jia said, “Are you so busy that you cannot wait until she comes home? How many questions could you ask then? When have you ever been so careful? I do not know whether you came as a news-bearer or a spy, sneaking about and frightening me. What a low creature! Your wife is playing cards with me. She will not be free for half a day. Go home and discuss with that Zhao Er’s wife how to do away with your wife.” Everyone laughed. Yuanyang smiled, “It was Bao Er’s wife, not Zhao Er’s wife, Old Ancestress.” Grandmother Jia also smiled, “Yes, how can I remember who is held or carried? When these things are mentioned, I cannot help being angry. From the time I entered this house as a great-grandson’s wife until now, when I have a great-grandson’s wife myself, fifty-four years in all, I have seen great alarms, great dangers, and all kinds of strange things, but I have never seen such goings-on. Are you still not leaving my rooms?”

Jia Lian did not dare say a word and quickly withdrew. Ping’er stood outside the window and smiled quietly, “I told you not to go, but you would not listen. Now you are caught in the net.” Just then Lady Xing came out. Jia Lian said, “It is all the Elder Master’s doing, and now it is put on me and Lady Xing.” Lady Xing said, “You unfilial wretch, may lightning strike you! Others would die for their fathers. I only said a few words, and you complain. You had better behave. These days he is angry. Be careful he does not beat you.” Jia Lian said, “Mother, go over quickly. I have been sent to invite you for a long time.” He saw his mother out and over to the other mansion.

Lady Xing said only a few words about what had happened. Jia She had no way out and felt ashamed. From then on he pleaded illness and did not dare see Grandmother Jia. He only sent Lady Xing and Jia Lian to pay respects each day. He had to send people everywhere to search and buy. In the end he spent eight hundred taels and bought a seventeen-year-old girl named Yinhong and took her into his room. No more of this.

They played cards for half a day and stopped only at dinner. Nothing happened for a day or two.

Soon it was the fourteenth. At dawn, Lai Da’s wife came again to invite them. Grandmother Jia was pleased and took Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, Baoyu, and the sisters to Lai Da’s garden, where they sat for half a day. The garden was not as fine as Grand View Garden, but it was neat and spacious, with springs, rocks, trees, towers, pavilions, and several striking sights. In the outer hall were Xue Pan, Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Jia Rong, and a few close clansmen. Distant relatives had not come, nor had Jia She. Lai Da’s family had also invited several officials and young men of old families to keep them company. Among them was Liu Xianglian. Xue Pan had met him once before and had never forgotten him. He had heard that Liu loved acting and always played the roles of young scholars and beauties in romantic plays. Xue Pan misunderstood and took him for a pleasure-boy. He wanted to make his acquaintance but had no introduction. Today he met him by chance and was beside himself with joy. Jia Zhen and the others also admired Liu’s reputation. With wine to give them courage, they asked him to sing two scenes. Afterwards they moved their seats to sit with him, asking questions and talking of this and that.

Liu Xianglian was originally a young gentleman of an old family. He had failed in his studies, and his parents had died early. He was generous and chivalrous by nature, careless of trifles, and loved spear and sword, gambling and drinking, and also frequented brothels, played the flute and zither—nothing he would not do. Because he was young and handsome, those who did not know his status mistook him for an actor. Lai Da’s son Lai Shangrong was his friend, so he had invited him today. Unexpectedly, after wine, while others were all right, Xue Pan fell back into his old ways. Liu was already displeased. He wanted to slip away, but Lai Shangrong would not let him go. Lai Shangrong also said, “Master Bao just told me that although he saw you when you came in, there were too many people to talk. He asked me to tell you not to leave when the party breaks up; he has something to say. If you must go, I will call him out. You two can meet before you go. It has nothing to do with me.” He sent a servant to find an old woman inside and quietly tell her to ask Master Bao to come out. In less than a cup of tea, Baoyu appeared. Lai Shangrong smiled to Baoyu, “Good uncle, I leave him to you. I must go and see to the guests.” He went off.

Baoyu took Liu Xianglian to a small study beside the hall and sat down. He asked whether he had been to Qin Zhong’s grave recently. Xianglian said, “Why not? The other day a few of us went hawking. We were two li from his grave. I thought the summer rain had been heavy and the grave might not hold. I slipped away from the others and went to look. It had indeed shifted a little. When I got home, I scraped together a few hundred coins. The next morning I went out early and hired two men to repair it.” Baoyu said, “No wonder. Last month the lotus seed-pods formed in our Grand View Garden pool. I picked ten and told Mingyan to take them to the grave as an offering. When he came back I asked him whether the rain had washed it out. He said not only had it not washed out, it looked newer than before. I thought it must be a few friends who had repaired it. I only hate that I am shut up at home every day and can decide nothing. Every move I make is known. Either someone stops me or someone advises me. I can talk but not act. Though I have money, I cannot use it.” Xianglian said, “You need not worry about this. I am here outside. You only need to keep it in your heart. The first of the tenth month is coming. I have already prepared the expense for visiting the grave. You know I am poor as a church mouse. I have no savings at home. Even if I get a little money, it slips through my fingers. So I might as well set aside this sum now, lest I be empty-handed when the time comes.” Baoyu said, “I was just going to send Mingyan to find you for this. But you are seldom home. I know you wander about like duckweed, with no fixed place.” Xianglian said, “There is no need to find me. This is just each doing his duty. Soon I am going away for a while. I will travel for three or five years and then come back.” Baoyu asked in surprise, “Why?” Liu Xianglian smiled coldly, “You do not know my thoughts. When the time comes, you will know. Now I must say goodbye.” Baoyu said, “It was so hard to meet. Would it not be good to leave together tonight?” Xianglian said, “Your dear cousin-in-law is still the same. If I sit longer, something may happen. I had better avoid him.” Baoyu thought and said, “If so, it is best to avoid him. But if you really are going far away, you must tell me first. Do not slip off quietly.” He shed tears. Liu Xianglian said, “Of course I will take leave. Only do not tell anyone else.” He stood up to go and added, “You go in. Do not see me off.”

As he spoke, he left the study. Just as he reached the gate, he met Xue Pan, who was shouting, “Who let Xiao Liu go?” Liu Xianglian heard and sparks flew from his eyes. He wished to kill him with one blow, but thinking of striking after wine and of Lai Shangrong’s face, he restrained himself again and again. Xue Pan suddenly saw him come out, as if he had found a treasure. He staggered up and caught hold of him, smiling, “My brother, where are you going?” Xianglian said, “Just a turn and back.” Xue Pan smiled, “Good brother, if you go, there is no fun. Sit a while, do me a favour. Whatever urgent business you have, leave it to me. Do not hurry. With me as your brother, it will be easy for you to become an official or make a fortune.” Xianglian saw how unworthy he was and felt both hatred and shame. He quickly formed a plan. He drew him aside where no one was and smiled, “Are you truly good to me, or only pretending?” Xue Pan heard this and was tickled with joy. Squinting, he quickly smiled, “Good brother, why do you ask? If I were pretending, may I die on the spot!” Xianglian said, “If so, it is not convenient here. Wait a while. I will go first. You come out afterwards and follow me to my lodging. We will drink all night. I have two excellent boys there who have never been out. You need not bring even one servant. When you arrive, there will be people to serve you.” Xue Pan was so delighted he sobered half. He said, “Is it true?” Xianglian said, “What! I treat you with a true heart, and you do not believe me!” Xue Pan quickly smiled, “I am not a fool. How could I not believe? But I do not know the place. If you go first, where shall I find you?” Xianglian said, “My lodging is outside the north gate. Can you bear to leave home and stay outside the city one night?” Xue Pan smiled, “With you, what do I want with home!” Xianglian said, “Then I will wait for you on the bridge outside the north gate. Let us go back and drink. After you see me go, you leave. They will not notice.” Xue Pan agreed. They returned to the feast and drank a while. Xue Pan could hardly contain himself. He kept looking at Xianglian, and the more he thought, the happier he became. He drank one pot after another, without being urged, until he was eight or nine parts drunk.

Xianglian got up and slipped out when no one was looking. At the gate he told his servant Xingnu, “Go home first. I will come back after going outside the city.” He mounted and rode straight out the north gate and waited on the bridge. In less than a meal’s time, he saw Xue Pan riding a big horse, hurrying from afar, mouth open, eyes staring, head turning like a rattle, looking left and right. When he passed Xianglian’s horse, he was looking into the distance and did not notice him nearby; he rode past. Xianglian both laughed and was angry. He spurred his horse and followed. Xue Pan looked ahead, and as the people grew fewer, he turned his horse back to look. Unexpectedly he saw Xianglian and, as if finding a rare treasure, quickly smiled, “I said you would not break your word.” Xianglian smiled, “Go on quickly. Be careful someone sees and follows, and it will not be convenient.” He rode ahead, and Xue Pan followed closely.

When Xianglian saw that the road was deserted and there was a reed pond, he dismounted, tied his horse to a tree, and smiled to Xue Pan, “Get down. Let us first swear an oath. If either of us changes his mind later and tells, may the oath come true.” Xue Pan smiled, “That is reasonable.” He quickly dismounted, tied his horse, and knelt, saying, “If I change my mind after a long time and tell anyone, may Heaven strike me and Earth destroy me!” Before he finished, there was a thud, as if an iron hammer struck the back of his neck. He saw black, stars burst before his eyes, and he fell. Xianglian came up and looked. He knew Xue Pan was a clumsy fellow, unused to being beaten, so he used only three parts of his strength and slapped his face a few times. Immediately Xue Pan’s face looked like a fruit stall. Xue Pan first tried to struggle up, but Xianglian touched him twice with his toe, and he fell again. He said, “It was mutually agreed. If you did not agree, you could have said so. Why lure me out and beat me?” He cursed. Xianglian said, “You blind fool, look and see who Master Liu is! You do not beg for mercy, and you still insult me! It is no use beating you to death. I will just give you a lesson.” He took his horsewhip and beat him from back to legs thirty or forty times. Xue Pan sobered greatly and could not bear the pain. He groaned. Xianglian sneered, “So that is all! I thought you were not afraid of being beaten.” He pulled Xue Pan’s left leg and dragged him a few steps into the muddy reeds, rolling him in mud and water. He asked, “Do you know me now?” Xue Pan did not answer, only lay groaning. Xianglian threw down the whip and punched him several times. Xue Pan rolled and cried, “My ribs are broken. I know you are a proper man. I was wrong because I listened to others.” Xianglian said, “Do not drag in others. Just speak of the present.” Xue Pan said, “There is nothing to say now. You are a proper man, and I was wrong.” Xianglian said, “You must speak more softly before I let you go.” Xue Pan groaned, “Good brother.” Xianglian punched him again. Xue Pan cried, “Good elder brother.” Xianglian punched him twice more. Xue Pan quickly cried, “Good grandfather, spare this blind fool! From now on I will respect and fear you.” Xianglian said, “Drink two mouthfuls of that water.” Xue Pan frowned, “That water is filthy. How can I drink it?” Xianglian raised his fist. Xue Pan quickly said, “I will drink, I will drink.” He bent his head to the reed roots and took a mouthful. Before he swallowed, he vomited up everything he had eaten. Xianglian said, “You filthy thing, eat it all up and I will spare you.” Xue Pan kowtowed and said, “Do some good and spare me! I cannot eat that even if I die.” Xianglian said, “This stench would make me ill.” He left Xue Pan and led his horse away. When Xue Pan saw him go, he felt relieved and regretted mistaking the man. He wanted to struggle up, but his whole body ached.

Meanwhile, Jia Zhen and the others at the feast suddenly missed the two. They searched everywhere. Someone said, “They seem to have gone out the north gate.” Xue Pan’s servants usually feared him. He had told them not to follow, so who dared look for him? Later Jia Zhen, uneasy, sent Jia Rong with servants to trace them. They went out the north gate, crossed the bridge, and after two li saw Xue Pan’s horse tied by the reed pond. They all said, “Good! Where there is a horse, there is a man.” They came to the horse and heard groaning in the reeds. They hurried over and saw Xue Pan, clothes torn, face swollen and cut, covered in mud like a muddy pig. Jia Rong had already guessed nine parts. He dismounted and had him helped out, smiling, “Uncle Xue flirts every day. Today he has flirted into a reed pond. The Dragon King must have fallen in love with your charms and wanted you for a son-in-law, and you ran into his horns.” Xue Pan was so ashamed he wished he could hide in a crack. He could not mount. Jia Rong had to send someone to the nearby village to hire a small sedan-chair. Xue Pan got in, and they went into the city. Jia Rong wanted to take him back to Lai’s feast, but Xue Pan begged him and told him not to tell anyone. Jia Rong agreed and let him go home. Jia Rong returned to Lai’s and reported to Jia Zhen what had happened. Jia Zhen knew it was Liu Xianglian who had beaten him and smiled, “He needed a beating.” When the feast ended that evening, he came to inquire. Xue Pan lay in his room nursing his injuries and pretended to be ill.

When Grandmother Jia and the others returned home, Aunt Xue and Baochai saw that Xiangling’s eyes were swollen from crying. They asked why and hurried to see Xue Pan. His face and body had wounds, but no bones were broken. Aunt Xue was both distressed and angry. She scolded Xue Pan, then scolded Liu Xianglian. She wanted to tell Lady Wang and send people to arrest Liu Xianglian. Baochai quickly advised, “This is not a great matter. They were drinking together, and quarrels after wine are common. Whoever is drunk may get a few extra blows. Besides, everyone knows our family is lawless. Mother is only distressed. If you want to vent anger, it is easy. Wait three or five days until brother is well enough to go out. Then Cousin Zhen, Jia Lian, and the others will not let it drop. They will prepare a feast and call that man to apologize and admit his fault before everyone. If Mother now makes a great matter and tells everyone, it will look as if you are partial and spoiled him, indulging him to make trouble. Today he has suffered a loss, and you make such a fuss, using relatives to bully an ordinary man.” Aunt Xue said, “My child, you are the thoughtful one. I was confused with anger.” Baochai smiled, “That is better. He does not fear Mother and will not listen to advice. Every day he gets worse. After two or three beatings, he will mend.” Xue Pan lay on the kang cursing Liu Xianglian and ordered his servants to tear down his house, beat him to death, and go to law with him. Aunt Xue stopped the servants, saying only that Liu Xianglian had been drunk and insolent, and now that he was sober he regretted it, feared punishment, and had fled.