Chapter 40: The Lady Dowager feasts twice in Grand View Garden; Yuanyang prescribes a drinking game with three commands

When Baoyu heard this, he hurried in to look and saw Hupo standing in front of the screen, saying, "Go quickly, they are waiting to speak with you." Baoyu went to the main hall and saw Grandmother Jia discussing with Lady Wang and the young ladies about returning the feast to Xiangyun. Baoyu then said, "I have an idea. Since there are no outside guests, there’s no need to fix the number of dishes. Let everyone pick one or two of their favorite dishes to be made. Also, instead of setting a full table, place a tall table in front of each person, with one or two of their favorite foods and a combined box of assorted delicacies, along with a small wine pot for self-serving. Wouldn’t that be unique?" When Grandmother Jia heard this, she said, "Very good," and promptly ordered the message sent to the kitchen: "Tomorrow, just make what we like to eat, according to the number of people, and pack the boxes as well. Breakfast will also be served in the garden." As they were discussing, lamps were already lit, and the night passed without incident.

The next morning, they rose early, and fortunately the weather was clear and bright. Li Wan got up first at dawn and watched the old women and maids sweep away the fallen leaves, wipe the tables and chairs, and prepare the tea and wine vessels. Just then, Feng’er brought in Granny Liu and Ban’er, saying, "You’re quite busy, Mistress." Li Wan laughed and said, "I told you yesterday that you wouldn’t be able to leave, but you were so eager to go." Granny Liu laughed and replied, "The old lady kept me here, saying I should join in the fun for a day." Feng’er took out several large and small keys and said, "Our mistress said that the tall tables outside might not be enough, so it’s better to open the building and bring down the stored ones for the day. She would have come herself, but she’s talking with Lady Wang. Please, Mistress, open it and have the people move them." Li Wan then ordered Suxiang to take the keys and told the old women to call a few of the young servants from the second gate. Li Wan stood at the foot of Grand View Pavilion, looking up, and ordered someone to go up and open the Brocade Collection Pavilion, then carry the tables down one by one. The young servants, old women, and maids worked together and brought down more than twenty tables. Li Wan said, "Be careful, don’t rush about as if ghosts were chasing you, and mind you don’t knock the edges." She turned back to Granny Liu and laughed, "Granny, you should go up and have a look too." Granny Liu, hearing this, was only too eager, so she took Ban’er and climbed the ladder. When they got inside, they saw a dark mass of piled-up folding screens, tables, chairs, and various large and small lanterns. Though she didn’t recognize them all, she saw a dazzling array of colors, each with its own charm. She muttered a few "Amituofo"s and then came down. Afterward, they locked the door and all descended together. Li Wan said, "I’m afraid the old lady might be in high spirits, so let’s also bring down the paddles, poles, oars, and sunshade curtains from the boats and have them ready." Everyone agreed, opened the place again, and moved everything down piece by piece. She ordered the young servants to call the boatwomen to the dock and get two boats out. While they were busy arranging things, Grandmother Jia arrived with a group of people. Li Wan quickly went to greet her and laughed, "You’re in high spirits, madam, to come so early. I thought you hadn’t even combed your hair yet; I just picked some chrysanthemums and was about to send them over." As she spoke, Biyue had already brought over a large lotus-leaf-shaped emerald plate, filled with all kinds of cut chrysanthemum branches. Grandmother Jia picked a large red one and tucked it into her hair at the temple. Turning around and seeing Granny Liu, she quickly laughed and said, "Come over and put on a flower." Before she finished speaking, Xifeng pulled Granny Liu over and laughed, "Let me dress you up." With that, she took the plate of flowers and stuck them all over Granny Liu’s head, in a messy crisscross. Grandmother Jia and the others laughed uncontrollably. Granny Liu laughed and said, "I don’t know what good deeds this head of mine has done to deserve such honor today." The others laughed, "You should pull them off and throw them in her face—she’s made you look like an old witch." Granny Liu laughed again, "Though I’m old, I was quite flirtatious in my youth and loved flowers and powders. Today, it’s fine to be an old flirt."

While laughing and talking, they arrived at the Drenched Fragrance Pavilion. The maids brought a large brocade cushion and laid it on the railing’s bench. Grandmother Jia sat down leaning against a pillar and told Granny Liu to sit beside her, then asked her, "How do you find this garden?" Granny Liu, reciting "Amituofo," said, "We country folk, when the New Year comes, go to town to buy pictures to paste up. Often when we have time, we all say, how wonderful it would be to go strolling in those pictures. We thought those pictures were just false, nowhere near as real as this place. Who would have thought that when I entered this garden today, it’s ten times better than those pictures! I wish someone could paint a picture of this garden so I could take it home and show them—even if I die, I’d have some good fortune." When Grandmother Jia heard this, she pointed at Xichun and laughed, "Look at this little granddaughter of mine—she can paint. How about I tell her to paint one for you tomorrow?" Granny Liu was overjoyed and quickly ran over, pulling Xichun’s hand and saying, "Oh, my young lady! At such a tender age, with such a fine appearance and such skill, you must be a reincarnated immortal, aren’t you?"

After resting a little, Grandmother Jia naturally led Granny Liu to see all the sights. They first arrived at the Bamboo Lodge. As soon as they entered the gate, they saw green bamboos lining the path on both sides, the ground covered with moss, and a narrow path paved with pebbles winding through the middle. Granny Liu yielded the path to Grandmother Jia and the others and walked on the ground herself. Hupo pulled her and said, "Granny, come up on the path—be careful, the moss is slippery." Granny Liu said, "It doesn’t matter; I’m used to walking on such ground. You young ladies just go ahead. I’d hate to dirty your embroidered shoes." But while she was looking up and chatting with people, she didn’t notice that the ground under her feet was indeed slippery, and with a thud, she fell flat on her back. Everyone clapped their hands and burst out laughing. Grandmother Jia laughed and scolded, "You little wretches, why don’t you help her up instead of just standing there laughing?" As she spoke, Granny Liu had already gotten up, laughing herself, and said, "As soon as I boasted, I got slapped in the face." Grandmother Jia asked her, "Did you twist your waist? Let the maids massage it." Granny Liu replied, "How can you say I’m so delicate? I fall two or three times every day—if I had to be massaged each time, that would be something!" Zijuan had already raised the bamboo curtain, and Grandmother Jia and the others entered and sat down. Lin Daiyu personally brought a small tea tray with a covered cup of tea and offered it to Grandmother Jia. Lady Wang said, "We don’t want tea, miss; no need to pour." Hearing this, Lin Daiyu ordered the maids to move a chair she usually sat on by the window to the lower seat and invited Lady Wang to sit there. Granny Liu noticed the writing brush and inkstone set on the desk by the window and saw the bookshelves piled high with books. Granny Liu said, "This must be the study of one of the young gentlemen." Grandmother Jia pointed at Daiyu and laughed, "This is the room of my granddaughter." Granny Liu looked Daiyu over carefully and then laughed, "This doesn’t look like a young lady’s boudoir at all—it’s even better than the finest study." Grandmother Jia then asked, "Where is Baoyu?" The maids replied, "He’s on the boat in the pond." Grandmother Jia said, "Who prepared the boats?" Li Wan quickly answered, "Just now, when I opened the building to get the tables, I thought you might be in high spirits, so I made preparations." As Grandmother Jia was about to speak, someone reported, "Aunt Xue has arrived." Grandmother Jia and the others had just stood up when Aunt Xue entered, took her seat, and laughed, "You’re in high spirits today, madam, to come so early." Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "I was just saying that anyone who comes late should be penalized, and now Aunt Xue has arrived late."

After talking and laughing for a while, the Dowager noticed that the gauze on the window frames had faded, and she said to Lady Wang, “This gauze looks nice when it’s newly pasted, but after a while it loses its brightness. There aren’t any peach or apricot trees in this courtyard either—the bamboos are already green, so pasting this green gauze on the windows clashes. I recall we used to have gauze for window panes in four or five colors. Tomorrow, let’s have these windows changed.” Xifeng promptly said, “Yesterday, when I opened the storeroom, I saw a large chest with many bolts of silver-red ‘cicada-wing’ gauze. Some had patterns of scattered flowers, some had flowing clouds and swastika-fu motifs, and some had a hundred butterflies flitting among blossoms. The colors were bright, and the gauze was light and soft—I’d never seen anything like it. I took out two bolts to make two cotton-gauze quilts, and I think they’ll be excellent.” Upon hearing this, the Dowager laughed and said, “Pah! Everyone says there’s nothing you haven’t experienced or seen, and yet you don’t even recognize this gauze. Tomorrow, you’ll still be boasting.” Aunt Xue and the others laughed and said, “No matter what he’s experienced or seen, how can he compare with you, Lady Dowager? Why not instruct him, so we can all listen?” Xifeng also laughed and said, “Dear ancestor, teach me, please.” The Dowager smiled and said to Aunt Xue and the others, “That gauze is older than all of you. No wonder he mistook it for cicada-wing gauze—it does look somewhat like it, and those who don’t know all call it that. Its proper name is ‘Soft Mist Silk’.” Xifeng said, “That name sounds nice too. But I’ve lived this long and seen hundreds of kinds of gauze and silk, yet I’ve never heard of this variety.” The Dowager laughed and said, “How old are you? You’ve seen a few things that have nowhere to be stored, and already you boast. That Soft Mist Silk comes in only four colors: one is ‘rain-washed sky-clear,’ one is ‘autumn fragrance,’ one is ‘pine green,’ and one is ‘silver-red.’ If you make bed curtains or paste it on window frames, from a distance it looks like mist and smoke, so it’s called ‘Soft Mist Silk.’ The silver-red one is also called ‘Rosy Cloud Gauze.’ Even the official gauze used by the court nowadays isn’t as soft, thick, and fine as this.” Aunt Xue laughed and said, “Not only has Miss Feng not seen it, even I’ve never heard of it.” While speaking, Xifeng had already ordered someone to fetch a bolt. The Dowager said, “Isn’t this it! In the old days, we used it just for window frames, but later we made quilts and bed curtains out of it, and it worked quite well. Tomorrow, find a few bolts and use the silver-red one to replace her window gauze.” Xifeng agreed. Everyone looked at it and praised it endlessly. Granny Liu also squinted and stared at it, unable to take her eyes off, and murmured a Buddhist invocation, saying, “We can’t even get fabric to make clothes, and you use it to paste windows—isn’t that a pity?” The Dowager said, “It wouldn’t look good for clothes.” Xifeng quickly pulled out the front panel of the large red cotton-gauze jacket she was wearing and showed it to the Dowager and Aunt Xue, saying, “Look at my jacket.” The Dowager and Aunt Xue both said, “This is also of the finest quality—it’s the current imperial court-manufactured fabric, but it still can’t compare with that.” Xifeng said, “This thin piece is called imperial court-manufactured, yet it’s not even as good as official-grade fabric.” The Dowager said, “Search again—there might still be some blue ones. If there are, bring them all out, give two bolts to our kinswoman Liu, make a bed curtain for me to hang, and with the rest, add linings and make lined vests for the maids to wear. It would be a waste to let them mold from storage.” Xifeng quickly agreed and ordered someone to send them off. The Dowager stood up and laughed, saying, “This room is cramped—let’s go sightseeing elsewhere.” Granny Liu invoked a Buddhist blessing and said, “Everyone says that great families live in great houses. Yesterday, I saw the Lady Dowager’s main hall, with its large chests, large cabinets, large tables, and large beds—truly imposing. Those cabinets were bigger and taller than one of our rooms. No wonder there was a ladder in the back courtyard. I thought, ‘They don’t go up on the roof to dry things, so why have a ladder?’ Later I realized it must be for opening the top cabinets to store and retrieve things—how else could you get up without a ladder? And now, seeing this little room, it’s even more exquisite than the big ones. All the things in the room are so pleasing to look at, but I don’t know what they’re called. The more I look, the harder it is to leave this place.” Xifeng said, “There are even finer things—I’ll take you to see them all.” With that, she led the way out of the Xiaoxiang Lodge.

From afar, they saw a group of people punting a boat in the pond. The Dowager said, “Since they’ve prepared the boat, let’s take it.” As she spoke, she headed toward the area of Purple Caltrop Isle and Smartweed Bank. Before reaching the pond, they saw several old women carrying large, uniformly crafted, filigree-inlaid, gold-painted, multicolored boxes. Xifeng promptly asked Lady Wang where breakfast should be set out. Lady Wang said, “Ask the Lady Dowager where she wants it, and set it there.” Upon hearing this, the Dowager turned back and said, “Your third sister’s place would be fine. Take the people and set it up; we’ll take the boat from here and go there.” Xifeng, hearing this, turned and went with Tanchun, Li Wan, Yuanyang, and Hupo, along with the servants carrying the food, taking a shortcut to the Autumn Freshness Studio. There, in the Morning Emerald Hall, they arranged the tables and stands. Yuanyang laughed and said, “Every day we talk about how the gentlemen outside have a jester at their feasts to make fun of. Today, we’ve gotten a female jester.” Li Wan, being a straightforward person, didn’t understand. But Xifeng knew she was referring to Granny Liu, and also laughed, saying, “Today, let’s make fun of her.” The two of them then conferred in this manner. Li Wan laughed and advised, “You two never do anything good. You’re not children anymore, so why be so mischievous? Be careful, or the Lady Dowager will scold you.” Yuanyang laughed and said, “It has nothing to do with you—I’ll take responsibility.” Just as they were speaking, they saw the Dowager and the others arrive, and everyone took their seats casually. First, the maids brought over two trays of tea, and everyone drank. Xifeng held a Western linen cloth in her hand, wrapped around a set of blackwood chopsticks inlaid with three silver bands. She measured the seating and laid the chopsticks out according to the seats. The Dowager then said, “Bring that small nanmu table over and let our kinswoman Liu sit close to me.” Upon hearing this, the servants quickly brought it over. Xifeng shot a glance at Yuanyang, and Yuanyang pulled Granny Liu aside, quietly whispering a few words to her, and added, “This is our family’s custom—if you make a mistake, we’ll laugh at you.” After making all the arrangements, they returned to their seats. Aunt Xue had already eaten before coming, so she didn’t eat, only sat to the side drinking tea. The Dowager sat at one table with Baoyu, Xiangyun, Daiyu, and Baochai. Lady Wang sat at another table with the three Jia sisters, Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun. Granny Liu sat next to the Dowager’s table. In the Dowager’s daily meals, there were always young maids standing by with spittoons, fly whisks, napkins, and the like. Yuanyang no longer held this duty, but today she deliberately took the fly whisk and began to fan. The maids knew she was planning to tease Granny Liu, so they stepped aside to let her. Yuanyang stood by and quietly said to Granny Liu, “Don’t forget.” Granny Liu said, “Rest assured, miss.” Granny Liu took her seat and picked up the chopsticks—they were heavy and unwieldy. It turned out that Xifeng and Yuanyang had conspired to give Granny Liu a pair of old, four-sided, ivory-inlaid gold chopsticks. Seeing them, Granny Liu said, “These claw-picks are heavier than our iron spade back home—how can I handle them?” This made everyone laugh.

A serving woman entered carrying a box, which she set down on the floor. A maid stepped forward and lifted the lid, revealing two bowls of dishes inside. Li Wan took one bowl and placed it on Grandmother Jia's table. Xifeng deliberately picked the bowl of pigeon eggs and set it on Granny Liu's table. Grandmother Jia said, "Please begin," whereupon Granny Liu stood up and announced in a loud voice: "Old Liu, Old Liu, my appetite is as big as an ox; I could eat a whole sow without lifting my head." Then she puffed out her cheeks and said nothing more. At first everyone was startled, but when they heard this, from top to bottom they all burst into loud laughter. Shi Xiangyun could not contain herself and sprayed a mouthful of rice out. Lin Daiyu laughed so hard she choked, bent over the table groaning. Baoyu had already rolled into Grandmother Jia's arms, and she hugged him, laughing and calling him "my precious." Lady Wang laughed so hard she could only point at Xifeng with her finger, unable to speak. Aunt Xue also could not hold back, and spat out her tea, splattering Tanchun's skirt. Tanchun's rice bowl tipped over onto Yingchun. Xichun left her seat, pulled her nurse over, and begged her to rub her stomach. The servants below all doubled over with laughter, some retreating outside to crouch and laugh, others suppressing their mirth to come forward and change the sisters' clothes. Only Xifeng and Yuanyang held firm, continuing to urge Granny Liu to eat. Granny Liu picked up her chopsticks, but found them unwieldy, and said, "These chickens here are so fine, the eggs they lay are so dainty and pretty. Let me just grab one." The others had just stopped laughing, but at these words they started again. Grandmother Jia laughed until tears came, and Hupo patted her on the back. Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "This must be that mischief-maker Feng girl's doing. Don't believe a word she says." As Granny Liu was praising the smallness of the eggs and preparing to snatch one, Xifeng said with a laugh, "Each one costs an ounce of silver! Do taste it quickly—it won't be good once it's cold." Granny Liu reached out with her chopsticks to pick one up, but could not manage it. She fussed about in the bowl for a long time, and finally managed to spear one. Just as she stretched out her neck to eat it, it slipped and rolled onto the floor. She quickly put down her chopsticks to pick it up herself, but a servant below had already retrieved it and taken it away. Granny Liu sighed, "An ounce of silver, and I didn't even hear a sound before it was gone." The others had lost all interest in eating and were all watching her and laughing. Grandmother Jia said, "Why have those chopsticks been brought out again? We're not hosting a grand banquet. This is all that Feng girl's doing. Change them at once." The servants below had not originally prepared these ivory chopsticks—Xifeng and Yuanyang had brought them. Upon hearing this, they quickly took them away and replaced them with a pair of ebony chopsticks inlaid with silver. Granny Liu said, "First gold, now silver—they're still not as handy as our own." Xifeng said, "If there were poison in the food, this silver would detect it." Granny Liu replied, "If there were poison in this food, then our food at home would be pure arsenic. Even if it poisoned me to death, I'd still eat it all." Seeing how amusing she was and how heartily she ate, Grandmother Jia pushed her own dish over for Granny Liu to eat. She also ordered an old nurse to pick various dishes and put them on Ban'er's bowl.

After a while, the meal finished. Grandmother Jia and the others went to Tanchun's bedroom to chat idly. The leftover table was cleared, and another table was set. Granny Liu watched as Li Wan and Xifeng sat opposite each other to eat, and sighed, "Leaving aside everything else, I just love the way your household does things. No wonder they say, 'Ritual comes from great families.'" Xifeng quickly laughed and said, "Don't take offense. We were just having a bit of fun just now." Before she finished speaking, Yuanyang also entered and said with a smile, "Granny, don't be angry. I apologize to you, elder." Granny Liu laughed and said, "Young lady, what are you saying? We were just amusing the old lady—why would I be angry! You warned me beforehand, and I understood. It was just for a laugh. If I were really angry, I wouldn't have said anything." Yuanyang then scolded the servants, "Why haven't you poured tea for Granny?" Granny Liu quickly said, "That woman just now poured tea, and I've already had some. You, young lady, should also go and eat." Xifeng then pulled Yuanyang over and said, "Sit down and eat with us. That saves you having to make a fuss later." So Yuanyang sat down. The old women added bowls and chopsticks, and the three finished their meal. Granny Liu laughed and said, "I see all of you eat only this little bit and then stop. It's a wonder you're not hungry. No wonder the wind could blow you over." Yuanyang then asked, "There's quite a lot of leftover food today. Where has it all gone?" The old women replied, "It hasn't been distributed yet. They're all waiting here, and we'll give it to them all at once." Yuanyang said, "They can't eat all that. Pick two dishes and send them to Second Master's wife's room for Pinger." Xifeng said, "She's already eaten her meal. No need to give her any." Yuanyang said, "If she won't eat it, then feed it to your cat." The old woman, upon hearing this, quickly picked two dishes and sent them off in a box. Yuanyang said, "Where has Suyun gone?" Li Wan said, "They're all eating together here. Why are you looking for her?" Yuanyang said, "Never mind then." Xifeng said, "Xiren isn't here. Why don't you have someone send two dishes to her?" Upon hearing this, Yuanyang ordered someone to send two dishes to her as well. Then Yuanyang asked the old women, "Have the cold dishes for the drinking later been packed in the boxes?" The old women replied, "It will probably take a little while." Yuanyang said, "Hurry them along." The old women acknowledged the order.

Xifeng and the others arrived at Tanchun's room, where they found the ladies and girls chatting and laughing. Tanchun had always loved spaciousness, so these three rooms were not partitioned off. In the center stood a large rosewood table with a marble top, piled with various famous calligraphy models and dozens of precious inkstones, while brush pots and a brush holder were filled with brushes standing like a forest. On one side was a Ru-ware flower vase as big as a peck, stuffed full of white chrysanthemums shaped like crystal balls. On the west wall hung a large painting by Mi Xiangyang, "Misty Rain," flanked by a pair of scrolls in the calligraphy of Yan Lugong, bearing the couplet: "With mist and clouds for leisurely bones; by springs and rocks for rustic life." On the table stood a large tripod. On the left, on a red sandalwood stand, was a large Guanyao plate filled with dozens of delicate, golden, and exquisite Buddha's-hand citrons. On the right, on a lacquered stand, hung a white jade chime in the shape of a sole fish, with a small hammer beside it. Ban'er, now a bit more familiar, reached for the hammer to strike it, but the maids quickly stopped him. He then asked for a Buddha's-hand to eat. Tanchun picked one out and said, "Play with it, but it's not for eating." On the east side was a daybed, and the canopy bed was hung with green double-embroidered gauze curtains adorned with flowers, plants, and insects. Ban'er ran over to look and said, "This is a katydid, and this is a grasshopper." Granny Liu slapped him and scolded, "You wretched little brat! Messing about with no sense of propriety. I let you come in for a look, and you get too forward." Ban'er started crying at the slap, and everyone quickly intervened to calm things down. Grandmother Jia looked through the gauze window into the back courtyard for a moment and said, "The parasol trees under the back eaves are doing well, but they're a bit thin." As she spoke, a sudden breeze passed, and faint sounds of drums and music could be heard. Grandmother Jia asked, "Whose wedding is this? It seems quite close to the street here." Lady Wang and the others replied with a smile, "You couldn't hear anything from the street. That's our dozen or so girls practicing their wind and percussion instruments." Grandmother Jia then said with a smile, "Since they're practicing, why not have them come in and play here? They can enjoy the view, and we can have some fun." Upon hearing this, Xifeng quickly ordered someone to call them in, and also instructed that long tables be set up and red felt spread. Grandmother Jia said, "Set them up in the pavilion on the water at Lotus Fragrance Retreat. The sound will be even better with the water. Later, we'll drink under the Tapestry Pavilion—it's spacious and we'll hear them clearly." Everyone agreed that was a good spot. Grandmother Jia said to Aunt Xue with a smile, "Let's go. These sisters don't really like people sitting around in their rooms—they're afraid of dirtying them. Let's not be tactless. Let's just go and take a boat ride and have some drinks." With that, they all stood up to leave. Tanchun laughed and said, "What are you saying? We'd be only too glad if you, Grandmother, and Auntie would come and sit with us." Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "My third girl is good enough, but those two jades are insufferable. Later, when we're tipsy, we'll go and make a ruckus in their rooms!"

With that, everyone laughed and came out together. Before they had gone far, they arrived at Xingye Islet. The several boatwomen selected from Suzhou had already punted over two crabapple-wood skiffs. The party helped Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, Granny Liu, Yuanyang, and Yuchuan onto one boat, and Li Wan followed after them. Xifeng also got on, standing at the prow, intending to punt as well. Grandmother Jia called from the cabin, “This is no joke! Though it’s not a river, it’s still quite deep. You get in here at once!” Xifeng laughed and said, “What’s there to fear? Just rest assured, Old Ancestor.” As she spoke, she pushed off with one pole. When they reached the middle of the pool, the boat was small and the people many, and Xifeng felt it wobble dangerously. She quickly handed the pole to a boatwoman and crouched down. Then Yingchun and the other sisters, along with Baoyu, boarded the other boat and followed behind. The rest of the elderly nurses and scattered maidservants walked along the bank, keeping pace. Baoyu said, “These broken lotus leaves are so annoying. Why hasn’t anyone been told to pull them out?” Baochai laughed, “These past few days, when has this garden had a moment’s peace? We’ve been out strolling every day—where’s the time to have anyone tidy up?” Lin Daiyu said, “I dislike Li Yishan’s poetry the most, except for one line: ‘Leave the withered lotus to hear the rain beat.’ But you’re just the ones who won’t leave the withered lotus alone.” Baoyu said, “That is indeed a fine line. From now on, let’s not have anyone pull them out.” As he spoke, they had already arrived at the Luogang below Huaxu, where they felt a bone-chilling gloom. On both banks, withered grass and broken water chestnuts heightened the autumn mood.

Grandmother Jia, seeing the bright, airy building on the shore, asked, “Isn’t that your Miss Xue’s residence?” The others replied, “It is.” Grandmother Jia immediately ordered the boat to draw to the bank, and they went up the cloud-step stone stairs and entered Hengwu Courtyard together. A strange fragrance assailed their nostrils. The exotic plants and immortal vines grew greener and more lush in the cold, and they had all borne fruit, like coral beads, hanging down in clusters, lovely to behold. When they entered the room, it was like a snow cave—not a single ornament in sight. On the table were only a plain ding vase holding several chrysanthemums, two books, and a tea caddy with teacups. The bed had only a green gauze curtain hanging down, and the quilts and mats were extremely simple. Grandmother Jia sighed, “This child is too honest. If you have no furnishings, why not ask your aunt for some? I didn’t give it a thought either, and it didn’t occur to me—your things naturally are at home and weren’t brought.” She then ordered Yuanyang to fetch some antiques, and scolded Xifeng, “Not sending any playthings to your younger sister—so stingy!” Lady Wang, Xifeng, and the others all laughed and replied, “She didn’t want them herself. We did send things over, but she returned them all.” Aunt Xue also laughed and said, “At home, she doesn’t bother much with such things either.” Grandmother Jia shook her head and said, “That won’t do. Though she’s frugal, if a relative comes, it won’t look proper. And besides, for young ladies, having a room so plain is also inauspicious. As for us old women, we might as well go live in the stables! You’ve heard in books and plays how exquisitely adorned a young lady’s boudoir is. Though our girls dare not compare with those ladies, they shouldn’t depart too far from the standard. Since there are things ready at hand, why not set them out? If you’re very fond of simplicity, a few fewer pieces is fine. I’m the best at arranging rooms, but now I’m old and haven’t the leisure for it. The girls are still learning to arrange things well—I’m only afraid they might be too vulgar and spoil even good things by displaying them. I don’t think they’re vulgar. Let me now arrange yours for you—I guarantee it will be both elegant and simple. I have two treasured pieces I’ve kept to myself until now, never let Baoyu see them, for once they caught his eye, they’d be gone.” With that, she called Yuanyang over and personally instructed her: “Take that stone miniature landscape, that gauze table screen, and that ink-smoke frozen-stone tripod. Set these three on the table, and that will be enough. Then bring that ink-wash calligraphy white silk bed curtain and change this one.” Yuanyang agreed and said with a smile, “Those things are stored in some chest in the east building—I’ll have to search slowly. It’ll do to fetch them tomorrow.” Grandmother Jia said, “Tomorrow or the day after is fine, just don’t forget.” After sitting for a while, they finally came out and went straight to Zhuijin Pavilion. Wenguan and the others came forward to pay their respects and asked, “Which pieces shall we rehearse?” Grandmother Jia said, “Just pick a few you’re not familiar with and practice them.” Wenguan and the others withdrew and went to Ouxiang Pavilion, of which no more is said.

By now, Xifeng had already had the place arranged. At the head were two couches, left and right, each spread with brocade cushions and rush mats. Before each couch were two carved lacquer tables—some shaped like crabapple blossoms, some like plum blossoms, some like lotus leaves, some like sunflowers, some square, some round, all of different designs. On one table were placed incense burner and vase sets, with a set of assorted boxes; the other table was left empty, ready for the favorite foods of the guests. At the head, two couches and four tables were for Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue; below, one chair and two tables were for Lady Wang; the rest each had one chair and one table. On the east side was Granny Liu, and below Granny Liu, Lady Wang. On the west side was Shi Xiangyun, second Baochai, third Daiyu, fourth Yingchun, fifth Tanchun, sixth Xichun, in descending order, with Baoyu at the end. The tables for Li Wan and Xifeng were placed within the third tier of railings, beyond the second gauze screen. The pattern of the assorted boxes matched the pattern of the tables. Each person had a silver filigree self-serving wine pot and a multi-enamel cup.

When all were seated, Grandmother Jia first laughed and said, “Let’s have a couple of cups first. Today, we must play a drinking game to make it interesting.” Aunt Xue and the others laughed and said, “The old lady surely has a fine drinking game in mind. How would we know how to play? You mean to get us drunk! We’ll just drink a few extra cups and that will do.” Grandmother Jia laughed, “Madam, you’re being too modest today. I suppose you’re tired of me, an old woman.” Aunt Xue laughed, “It’s not modesty—I’m just afraid if I can’t keep up, I’ll be a laughingstock.” Lady Wang quickly laughed and said, “Even if you can’t keep up, just drink an extra cup of wine, get drunk, and go to sleep. Who’s going to laugh at us?” Aunt Xue nodded and laughed, “I’ll follow the game. But the old lady should drink a cup of the game wine first.” Grandmother Jia laughed, “That goes without saying.” With that, she drank a cup.

Xifeng quickly stepped forward to where they were and said with a smile, “If we’re going to play the drinking game, we should have Sister Yuanyang preside over it.” Everyone knew that when the Lady Dowager played a drinking game, Yuanyang had to prompt her, so on hearing this, they all said, “Quite right.” Xifeng then pulled Yuanyang over. Lady Wang said with a smile, “Since she’s in the game, it won’t do for her to stand.” She turned and ordered a little maid, “Bring a chair and place it at the seats of the two young ladies-in-law.” Yuanyang, half yielding and half refusing, thanked them for the seat, then sat down, also drank a cup of wine, and said with a smile, “The drinking game is as strict as a military order; it respects neither high nor low, and I alone am master. Anyone who disobeys my words will be penalized.” Lady Wang and the others all smiled and said, “It must be so; speak quickly.” Before Yuanyang could open her mouth, Granny Liu left the table and waved her hand, saying, “Don’t make fun of me like this; I’m going home.” Everyone laughed and said, “That won’t do.” Yuanyang ordered the little maids with a shout, “Pull her back to the table!” The little maids, also laughing, indeed pulled her back into the seat. Granny Liu only cried out, “Spare me!” Yuanyang said, “Anyone who talks more will be penalized a whole pot of wine.” Only then did Granny Liu fall silent. Yuanyang said, “Now I’ll name a set of dominoes. Starting from the old lady, we’ll go in order down to Granny Liu. For example, if I name a set, I’ll separate the three tiles, first naming the first tile, then the second, then the third, and after finishing, combine them into the name of the set. No matter whether it’s from poetry, song, rhyme-prose, set phrases, or common sayings, match each with a line, and all lines must rhyme. Anyone who makes a mistake will be penalized with a cup.” The crowd laughed and said, “This game is good; just say it.” Yuanyang said, “Here’s a set. On the left is a ‘Heaven’ tile.” The Lady Dowager said, “Above my head is the blue sky.” Everyone said, “Good.” Yuanyang said, “In the middle is a ‘Five and Six’.” The Lady Dowager said, “Six bridges and plum blossoms fragrant to the bone.” Yuanyang said, “The remaining one is a ‘Six and One’.” The Lady Dowager said, “A red sun rises through the clouds.” Yuanyang said, “Put together, it’s ‘The Disheveled Ghost’.” The Lady Dowager said, “That ghost clings to Zhong Kui’s leg.” When she finished, everyone laughed and said, “Excellent.” The Lady Dowager drank a cup. Yuanyang went on, “Here’s another set. On the left is a ‘Big Long Five’.” Aunt Xue said, “Plum blossoms dance in the wind.” Yuanyang said, “On the right is still a ‘Big Five Long’.” Aunt Xue said, “Plum blossoms on the ridge in the tenth month are fragrant.” Yuanyang said, “In the middle, ‘Two and Five’ make a mixed Seven.” Aunt Xue said, “The Weaving Maid and the Cowherd meet on the Seventh Night.” Yuanyang said, “Put together, it’s ‘The Second Lad Roams the Five Sacred Peaks’.” Aunt Xue said, “Worldly people cannot match the joys of immortals.” After she finished, everyone praised her and drank wine. Yuanyang continued, “Here’s another set. On the left, ‘Long One’ shows two spots bright.” Xiangyun said, “Two suns and moons shine on heaven and earth.” Yuanyang said, “On the right, ‘Long One’ shows two spots bright.” Xiangyun said, “Falling flowers on idle ground are heard without sound.” Yuanyang said, “In the middle, we need a ‘One and Four’.” Xiangyun said, “Red apricots by the sun lean on clouds for planting.” Yuanyang said, “Put together, it’s ‘The Nine Ripe Cherries’.” Xiangyun said, “The imperial garden’s fruits are pecked away by birds.” After saying this, she drank a cup. Yuanyang said, “Here’s another set. On the left is a ‘Long Three’.” Baochai said, “Pairs of swallows chatter among the beams.” Yuanyang said, “On the right is a ‘Three Long’.” Baochai said, “Water plants trailing in the wind are like green ribbons long.” Yuanyang said, “In the middle, ‘Three and Six’ make nine spots.” Baochai said, “Three mountains half fall beyond the blue sky.” Yuanyang said, “Put together, it’s ‘Iron Chains Bind a Lonely Boat’.” Baochai said, “Everywhere waves, everywhere sorrow.” After finishing, she drank her cup. Yuanyang went on, “On the left is a ‘Heaven’ tile.” Daiyu said, “What can be done with this fine scene and lovely day?” Baochai, on hearing this, turned and looked at her. Daiyu, only afraid of being penalized, paid no attention. Yuanyang said, “In the middle, the ‘Brocade Screen’ has a lovely color.” Daiyu said, “Even the gauze window has no news from Hongniang.” Yuanyang said, “The remaining ‘Two and Six’ make eight spots even.” Daiyu said, “Two pairs of eyes gaze at the jade seat, leading the courtly rites.” Yuanyang said, “Put together, it’s ‘A Basket for Picking Flowers’.” Daiyu said, “A fairy’s staff carries peonies picked with fragrance.” After saying this, she took a sip. Yuanyang said, “On the left, ‘Four and Five’ make a flower Nine.” Yingchun said, “Peach blossoms are heavy with rain.” Everyone said, “She should be penalized! The rhyme is wrong, and it’s not fitting.” Yingchun smiled and drank a sip. Originally, Xifeng and Yuanyang both wanted to hear Granny Liu’s jokes, so they deliberately made their lines wrong and were all penalized. When it came to Lady Wang, Yuanyang spoke for her, and next it was Granny Liu’s turn. Granny Liu said, “We country folk, when idle, often get a few people together to do this, but we never speak as prettily as this. I’ll have to give it a try, however.” Everyone laughed and said, “It’s easy to say. Just go ahead; it doesn’t matter.” Yuanyang said with a smile, “On the left, ‘Four and Four’ makes a person.” Granny Liu thought for a long time and then said, “It’s a country fellow, isn’t it?” Everyone burst into laughter. The Lady Dowager laughed and said, “Well said! That’s just how to say it.” Granny Liu also laughed and said, “We country folks just stick to our plain nature; don’t laugh, ladies.” Yuanyang said, “In the middle, ‘Three and Four’ is green matched with red.” Granny Liu said, “A big fire burns up the caterpillars.” Everyone laughed and said, “That’s apt; keep to your natural style.” Yuanyang said, “On the right, ‘One and Four’ is truly fine to see.” Granny Liu said, “A radish and a head of garlic.” Everyone laughed again. Yuanyang said with a smile, “Put together, it’s ‘A Branch of Flowers’.” Granny Liu gestured with both hands and said, “When the flower falls, it bears a big pumpkin.” Everyone roared with laughter. Just then, a commotion was heard outside—but listen to the next chapter for the explanation.