Chapter 13: Qin Keqing Dies and Receives the Title of Imperial Guard; Wang Xifeng Takes Charge of the Ningguo Mansion
CHAPTER 13
Qin Keqing Posthumously Receives the Title of Dragon Imperial Guard
Wang Xifeng Assumes the Stewardship of the Ningguo Mansion
After Jia Lian had escorted Daiyu to Yangzhou, Xifeng found life very dull. Each evening she merely chatted and laughed with Pinger for a while before going listlessly to bed.
One night, as she and Pinger sat wearily embroidering by lamplight, huddled around the brazier, they had their embroidered quilts thoroughly perfumed early and then lay down. Xifeng calculated the distance the travelers should have covered, and before she knew it, the third watch had come. Pinger was sound asleep. Xifeng’s starry eyes had just begun to droop when she dimly saw Qin Keqing approaching from outside. Smiling, Keqing said, “Auntie, how soundly you sleep! Today I am going back, yet you do not see me off even a short way. But because we two have always been so close, I cannot bear to leave you without bidding farewell. There is also one unfulfilled wish I must tell you, for no one else is likely to manage it.”
Xifeng, half-dreaming, asked, “What wish is that? Just entrust it to me.” Keqing replied, “Auntie, you are a heroine among the powdered and rouged—even those men who wear belts and caps cannot surpass you. How is it you do not know even these two common sayings? As the proverb goes, ‘The moon waxes only to wane, water brims only to overflow.’ And again, ‘The higher the climb, the harder the fall.’ Now our house has been illustrious and flourishing for nearly a hundred years. If one day joy turns to sorrow, and the saying ‘When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter’ comes true, would it not be a waste that our family, famed for poetry and ancient learning for generations, should end so?” Hearing this, Xifeng felt enlightened and filled with awe. She asked eagerly, “Your worry is most valid. But is there any way to ensure eternal safety without trouble?” Keqing sneered, “Auntie, how foolish you are! When misfortune reaches its extreme, good fortune comes; honor and disgrace have revolved in cycles since ancient times. How could human effort keep things forever secure? Yet if now, in times of glory and prosperity, we plan for the days of decline, that may be called a means of lasting preservation. At present, everything is well arranged except for two matters. If these two are handled properly, then later generations can be secure forever.”
Xifeng asked what those matters were. Keqing said, “Now, although the ancestral graves receive seasonal sacrifices, there is no fixed source of funds. Secondly, though the family school is established, it has no permanent endowment. According to my thinking, during this prosperous time there is naturally no lack of sacrificial offerings or school supplies, but when we fall into decline, where will these funds come from? Better to follow my settled plan: while we are still wealthy, purchase more farmlands, estates, and houses near the ancestral graves, so that all expenses for sacrifices come from there, and also establish the family school on that land. Convene the whole clan, young and old, and set down rules. In future, each branch will manage the land, grain, funds, sacrifices, and supplies for one year. Rotating in this way will prevent disputes and avoid evils like pawning or selling. Even if the family is convicted of a crime, all property may be confiscated by the state, but sacrificial property is exempt from seizure. Should the family fall into decline, descendants can return to study or farm there, having a place to retreat, and the sacrifices can continue forever. If you now think your glory will never end and fail to plan for the future, that is ultimately no lasting strategy. Very soon there will be an extraordinary happy event—truly like adding fuel to a blazing fire or embroidering flowers on brocade. But you must understand: it is only a moment’s splendor, a transient joy. Never forget the saying, ‘Even the grandest feast must break up.’ If you do not make preparations now, regrets when the time comes will be useless.” Xifeng hastily asked, “What happy event?” Keqing replied, “The secrets of Heaven cannot be revealed. But since we two have been close, let me give you two parting lines—you must remember them.” Then she recited:
“When the three springs are past, all fragrance fades;
Each must seek its own door for its own fate.”
Xifeng was about to ask further when the cloud-patterned chime at the inner gate sounded four quick beats, startling her awake. A servant reported, “The mistress of the Eastern Mansion, Rong Daren’s wife, has passed away.” Hearing this, Xifeng broke out in a cold sweat. After a moment of stunned silence, she hurriedly dressed and went to Lady Wang’s quarters.
By then, the whole household knew. All were astonished, and some were suspicious. The elder generation recalled her filial piety in daily life; her peers remembered her harmony and intimacy; the younger generation thought of her usual kindness; and the household servants, from old to young, recalled her compassion for the poor and lowly, her care for the aged and love for the young—all wailed in bitter grief.
But to cut the tale short: Baoyu, since Lin Daiyu had gone home, felt lonely and neglected, and did not play with anyone. Each evening he went listlessly to sleep. Now, hearing in his dream that Qin Keqing had died, he turned over and sat up abruptly, feeling as if a knife had stabbed his heart. With a cry, he spat out a mouthful of blood. Xiren and the others rushed to support him, asking what was wrong, and wanted to report to the Lady Dowager to summon a doctor. Baoyu smiled and said, “Don’t fuss, it’s nothing. This is just a rush of fire attacking the heart, so the blood does not return to its proper channels.” Saying this, he got up, asked for his clothes, changed, and went to see the Lady Dowager, insisting on going over immediately. Xiren, though worried, dared not stop him and let him do as he wished. When the Lady Dowager saw he wanted to go, she said, “The person has only just breathed her last; the place is unclean. Besides, the night wind is strong. Wait until morning, that will be soon enough.” Baoyu would not agree. The Lady Dowager ordered a carriage prepared and sent many attendants to escort him. They went straight to the front gate of the Ningguo Mansion, which stood wide open. Lanterns on both sides lit the place as bright as day; people bustled about in confusion, and within, weeping shook the mountains and valleys. Baoyu alighted from the carriage and hurried to the hall where the coffin was laid out, where he wept bitterly. Then he went to see Madam You. He found that Madam You had suffered a relapse of her chronic stomach ailment and was lying in bed. After that, he went out to see Jia Zhen. By then, Jia Dairu, Jia Daixiu, Jia Chi, Jia Xiao, Jia Dun, Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Cong, Jia Bin, 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, and others had all arrived. Jia Zhen, weeping like a figure carved from tears, was saying to Jia Dairu and the others, “Everyone in the family, near and far, old and young—who does not know that this daughter-in-law of mine was ten times better than my own son? Now she has stretched out her legs and gone, showing that this senior branch is utterly cut off and without heir.” As he spoke, he wept again. The crowd urged him, “The person has departed; weeping does no good. The important thing is to discuss the funeral arrangements.” Jia Zhen clapped his hands and said, “How should we arrange it? I will use everything I have!” Just then, Qin Ye, Qin Zhong, and several relatives of Madam You, including her sisters, also arrived. Jia Zhen ordered Jia Cong, Jia Chen, Jia Lin, and Jia Qiang to entertain the guests, while he sent for the Director of the Imperial Observatory’s Yin-Yang Bureau to choose an auspicious date. It was decided that the coffin would rest for forty-nine days; after three days, the mourning would be announced and obituaries sent. During these forty-nine days, one hundred and eight Chan monks would be invited to the main hall to recite the Great Compassion Repentance, to liberate the souls of those who had passed before and after, and to absolve the deceased’s sins. Another altar would be set up in Tianxiang Tower, where ninety-nine complete-realization Taoist priests would perform a forty-nine-day ritual to dissolve grievances and wash away karma. Then the coffin would be placed in the Huifang Garden. Before the coffin, fifty eminent monks and fifty eminent Taoists would conduct rites for each of the seven-week periods. Jia Jing, upon hearing that his eldest grandson’s wife had died, thought that he himself was about to ascend to immortality at any moment—how could he be willing to go back and be contaminated by the dusty world, ruining all his previous efforts? Therefore, he paid no attention and left everything to Jia Zhen to manage.
Jia Zhen, seeing that his father would not interfere, grew even more reckless in his extravagance. When selecting the coffin boards, several sets of cedar planks were all deemed unsuitable. By chance, Xue Pan came to offer condolences and, upon seeing Jia Zhen searching for good boards, said, "There is a set of boards in my timber shop—what they call 'mastwood'—from Mount Iron Net on the Yellow Sea. Made into a coffin, it will last ten thousand years without decay. This was brought by my late father; it was originally ordered by the old Prince of Yizhong, but because he fell from grace, it was never taken. It is still sealed in the shop, and no one has dared to name a price to buy it. If you want it, just have it brought over for use." When Jia Zhen heard this, he was overjoyed and immediately ordered it to be brought. Everyone looked at it: the sides and bottom were all eight inches thick, with a grain like betel nut, a fragrance like sandalwood and musk, and when tapped, it rang like gold or jade. All were amazed and praised it. Jia Zhen asked with a smile, "How much is it worth?" Xue Pan laughed and said, "Even if you took a thousand taels of silver, you might not find a place to buy it. What price? Just give the workmen a few taels for their labor." Jia Zhen, hearing this, hurriedly expressed endless thanks and immediately ordered it to be sawn and lacquered. Jia Zheng then advised, "This object may not be something an ordinary person can enjoy; it would be fine to enshroud her in top-grade cedar." At this time, Jia Zhen wished he could die in Qin-shi's place; how could he listen to such words? Then suddenly it was heard that Qin-shi's maid, named Ruizhu, upon seeing Qin-shi dead, had also dashed herself against a pillar and died. This was a rare occurrence, and the whole clan praised it. Jia Zhen then had her encoffined with the rites of a granddaughter, and her spirit was also laid to rest in the Ascending to Immortals Pavilion in the Garden of Assembled Fragrance. Another young maid, named Baozhu, seeing that Qin-shi had no offspring, willingly offered herself as an adopted daughter, vowing to perform the duties of mourner and to lead the funeral procession. Jia Zhen was overjoyed and immediately gave orders that from then on, Baozhu was to be called "Miss." Baozhu, following the rites for an unmarried daughter, wept bitterly before the spirit tablet. Thus, all members of the clan and household staff followed old customs, ensuring no disorder occurred.
Jia Zhen, thinking that Jia Rong was merely a government student, felt it would look bad on the funeral banners and scripture lists, and even the attendants would be few, leaving him quite uneasy. By chance, on the fourth day of the first seven-day period, Dai Quan, the chief eunuch of the Daming Palace, had first prepared sacrificial offerings and sent someone, then came himself in a large sedan chair, with an umbrella and gongs sounding, to offer sacrifices in person. Jia Zhen hurriedly welcomed him and ushered him into the Dou Feng Pavilion for tea. Jia Zhen had already made up his mind, so he took the opportunity to mention buying a title for Jia Rong. Dai Quan understood his intention and said with a smile, "I suppose it's to add some splendor to the funeral." Jia Zhen quickly replied with a smile, "Your Excellency is quite right." Dai Quan said, "It happens to be a good opportunity. There are three hundred vacancies for Imperial Bodyguards, and two are open. Yesterday, the third brother of the Marquis of Xiangyang came to ask me, and he presented fifteen hundred taels of silver at my home. You know, we are old acquaintances; regardless, out of respect for his grandfather, I casually agreed. One vacancy remains. Who would have thought that Feng Pangzi, the Military Commissioner of Yongxing, came to ask for a title for his son? I had no time to agree to him. Since it's our boy who wants the title, quickly write out his biography." Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen immediately ordered, "Quickly tell the clerks to respectfully write out the Master's biography." The servant dared not delay; after a while, he brought back a red paper slip to Jia Zhen. Jia Zhen looked at it and hurriedly handed it to Dai Quan. Dai Quan read it, and it said:
"Jia Rong, a government student of Jiangning County, Jiangning Prefecture, south of the River, aged twenty. Great-grandfather: Jia Daihua, former Commander of the Metropolitan Battalion, Hereditary First-Class General of Divine Might. Grandfather: Jia Jing, presented scholar in the Yimao year. Father: Jia Zhen, Hereditary Third-Rank Marquis of Prestigious Might."
Dai Quan read it, then casually handed it to a close servant to put away, saying, "Later, give it to Old Zhao, the head of the Board of Revenue, and tell him I send my regards. Have him issue a certificate for a Fifth-Rank Imperial Bodyguard, along with an official license, and fill in this biography. Tomorrow I will come to exchange the silver and send it over." The servant acknowledged, and Dai Quan took his leave. Jia Zhen tried repeatedly to detain him but could not, so he had to see him out of the mansion gate. As he was about to mount his sedan chair, Jia Zhen asked, "Should I exchange the silver at the Board, or send it all to Your Excellency's residence?" Dai Quan said, "If you go to the Board, you'll lose out. Better to send twelve hundred taels of silver at the market rate to my home, and it's settled." Jia Zhen expressed boundless gratitude, saying only, "After the mourning period is over, I will personally bring my worthless son to your mansion to kowtow my thanks." Then they parted.
Next, they heard the sound of outriders clearing the way; it turned out that the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing, Shi Ding, had arrived. Lady Wang, Lady Xing, and Xifeng had just welcomed her into the main hall when they saw sacrificial offerings from the Marquis of Jinxiang, the Marquis of Chuannin, and the Earl of Shoushan placed before the spirit tablet. Shortly after, the three men alighted from their sedan chairs, and Jia Zheng and the others hurriedly received them in the great hall. Thus, relatives and friends came and went in an endless stream. For those forty-nine days, the street before the Ningguo Mansion was a sea of white with people coming and going, a riot of colors as officials passed by.
Jia Zhen ordered Jia Rong the next day to change into festive attire and return with the credentials. All items for the funeral, such as the offerings before the spirit tablet, were arranged according to the specifications for a Fifth-Rank official. The spirit tablet and the funeral banner both read: "The spirit tablet of the Respected Lady Qin of the Jia Family, Conferred by the Heavenly Court." The main gate of the Garden of Assembled Fragrance facing the street was thrown wide open, and music halls were built on both sides, with two groups of attendants in black playing music at the appointed times. Rows of attendants were arranged with blade-like precision. Furthermore, two large vermilion boards with gold characters were placed upright outside the gate, inscribed with: "Imperial Bodyguard of the Forbidden City's Inner Palace and Purple Forbidden Path." Opposite, a high altar was erected, with Buddhist and Taoist priests posting proclamations on opposite sides. The proclamation read in large characters: "Funeral of the Respected Lady Qin of the Jia Family, Wife of the Heir of the Hereditary Duke of Ningguo, Imperial Bodyguard of the Forbidden City's Inner Palace and Imperial Guard. In the central land of the Four Great Continents, under the peace-blessed reign of Heaven, the Superintendent of the Void and Silent Sect of Buddhism, Director Wan Xu, and the Superintendent of the Primordial Unity Sect of Taoism, Director Ye Sheng, reverently perform the rites, worship Heaven, and bow to the Buddha," along with "Respectfully inviting all guardian deities, avatars, and divine officials, bestowing sacred grace, and far-spreading divine might, for forty-nine days of purification, elimination of calamities, and peaceful land-and-water rites," and other such phrases, which need not be fully recorded.
But although Jia Zhen was now satisfied in his heart, inside, Madam You had suffered a relapse of her old illness and could not manage affairs. He feared that during the comings and goings of the titled ladies, there might be lapses in etiquette, causing ridicule, and so he felt uneasy. Just as he was worrying, Baoyu, who was nearby, asked, "Everything seems to be arranged properly; what is Elder Brother still worried about?" When Jia Zhen heard the question, he spoke of the lack of a person to manage the inner quarters. Baoyu laughed and said, "What's so difficult about that? I can recommend someone to act for you this month; I guarantee it will be fine." Jia Zhen hastily asked, "Who is it?" Baoyu, seeing many relatives and friends present, did not want to say it openly, so he walked over to Jia Zhen's ear and whispered a few words. Jia Zhen was overjoyed and immediately stood up with a laugh, saying, "Truly suitable; let's go now." With that, he took Baoyu's hand, took leave of the others, and headed to the main hall.
As it happened, that day was not a regular mourning day, so few relatives came. Inside, only a few close female kin were present, with Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Xifeng, and the women of the entire clan keeping them company. Hearing someone announce, “The Master is coming,” the women were so startled that they hurriedly scrambled away, unable to hide in time, except for Xifeng, who rose gracefully. Jia Zhen, who was somewhat ill at the time and also deeply grief-stricken, hobbled in leaning on a cane. Lady Xing and the others said, “You are unwell, and with so many matters these days, you should rest. Why have you come in?” Jia Zhen, supporting himself on his cane, struggled to kneel and pay his respects while expressing his exhaustion. Lady Xing and the others quickly told Baoyu to support him and ordered someone to bring a chair for him to sit. Jia Zhen absolutely refused to sit, so he forced a smile and said, “Nephew has come in to ask a favor of my two aunties and elder sister.” Lady Xing and the others hurriedly asked, “What matter?” Jia Zhen hurriedly smiled and said, “Aunties naturally know—now that the daughter-in-law of my son has passed away, and my own wife is unfortunately ill, I see that inside affairs are truly in a mess. How about troubling elder sister for a month to manage things here? Then I will be at ease.” Lady Xing smiled and said, “So it’s about this. Your elder sister is now at your second aunt’s house; just speak with your second aunt.” Lady Wang quickly said, “He is just a child—when has he ever handled such matters? If he cannot manage things well, it will only invite ridicule. It would be better to ask someone else.” Jia Zhen smiled and said, “Auntie’s intention, nephew guesses, is that you fear elder sister will be overworked. As for not managing well, I guarantee she will certainly manage well. Even if there is a slight mistake, others will still see it as correct. Since childhood, elder sister has shown decisiveness and resolution even in play. Now that she is married and handles affairs in that mansion, she has become even more seasoned and mature. I have thought about this for days, and aside from elder sister, there is no one else. Auntie, if not for the sake of nephew and my wife, then at least for the sake of the deceased!” As he spoke, tears flowed.
What Lady Wang feared was that Xifeng had no experience with funerals and might not manage well, bringing shame upon them. Now seeing Jia Zhen pleading so earnestly to this extent, she began to waver somewhat, yet she stared at Xifeng in thought. Xifeng had always loved to take charge of affairs and show off her abilities. Although she managed the household capably, she worried that, having never handled major events like weddings or funerals, others might not respect her, and she eagerly longed for such an opportunity. Seeing Jia Zhen’s approach, she was already delighted. At first, she saw Lady Wang refuse, but later, when Jia Zhen spoke with such sincerity and Lady Wang seemed to be swayed, she said to Lady Wang, “Elder brother has pleaded so earnestly, Madam, please grant it.” Lady Wang asked quietly, “Can you handle it?” Xifeng replied, “Why not? The external affairs are already managed by elder brother; it’s just overseeing things inside. Even if there is something I don’t know, I can ask Madam.” Lady Wang, seeing this reasoning sound, said nothing. Jia Zhen, seeing that Xifeng had agreed, smiled again and said, “I cannot worry about too much now; I must beg elder sister to take on the hardship. Here, I will bow to elder sister first, and after the matter is finished, I will go to that mansion to thank you.” With that, he made a deep bow, and Xifeng hurriedly returned the gesture.
Jia Zhen then quickly took out the tally of the Ningguo Mansion from his sleeve, had Baoyu give it to Xifeng, and said, “Elder sister may do as she pleases; if you need anything, just take this to get it, no need to ask me. Only beg you not to try to save me money on purpose; let appearances be foremost, and also treat people the same as in that mansion—do not fear complaints. Apart from these two matters, I have nothing else to worry about.” Xifeng dared not take the tally immediately and only looked at Lady Wang. Lady Wang said, “Since your elder brother says so, just take care of it. But do not act on your own; if something comes up, send someone to ask your elder brother and sister-in-law—that is important.” Baoyu had already taken the tally from Jia Zhen’s hand and pressed it into Xifeng’s. He then asked, “Will elder sister stay here, or come every day? If you come daily, it will be even more tiring. Better that I quickly prepare a courtyard here for elder sister to stay for these days—it will be more settled.” Xifeng smiled and said, “No need. I am also needed over there; it’s better to come daily.” Jia Zhen, hearing this, had to let it go. Then they exchanged some casual talk before he left.
After a while, when the women guests had dispersed, Lady Wang asked Xifeng, “How will you handle things today?” Xifeng said, “Madam, please go back. I must first sort out a plan before I return.” Lady Wang, hearing this, went back with Lady Xing and the others; we will leave this aside.
Here, Xifeng went into a three-roomed side building and sat down, thinking: First, the mingling of people leads to loss of items; second, tasks have no designated persons, causing shirking at critical moments; third, expenses are excessive, with indiscriminate spending and false claims; fourth, tasks are not differentiated by size, leading to unequal hardship and reward; fifth, the servants are arrogant, with those of status refusing to obey orders and those without status unable to advance. These five issues are indeed the habits of the Ningguo Mansion. How Xifeng would handle them, we must hear in the next chapter. Indeed:
Thousands in gold and purple—who can govern a state?
A single woman in skirts can order a household.