Chapter 68: The suffering You Er-jie is tricked into entering the Grand View Garden; the jealous Xi-feng creates a scene in the Ning-guo Mansion

It happened that after Jia Lian had left, the Peaceful Border Military Commissioner happened to be on a tour of inspection along the frontier and would not return for about a month. Since Jia Lian could not obtain any definite news, he had to stay at his lodgings and wait. By the time the Commissioner returned and he had concluded his business, nearly two months had elapsed before he started back.

Little did he know that Xifeng had already laid her plans. No sooner had Jia Lian left than she summoned various craftsmen to renovate three rooms in the eastern wing, decorating and furnishing them exactly like her own principal apartment. On the fourteenth day, she informed Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang that she intended to go to a nunnery to offer incense early on the fifteenth. Taking only Pinger, Feng’er, Zhou Rui’s wife, and Wang’er’s wife with her, she explained the real reason to them before they even got into the carriage. She also ordered all the menservants to wear plain clothes and use a carriage with a plain canopy, and they set off directly.

Xinger led the way until they reached the gate of Second Sister’s residence. Bao Er’s wife opened the door. Xinger said with a smile, “Quickly tell the Second Mistress that the Elder Mistress has arrived.” When Bao Er’s wife heard this, she was frightened out of her wits and hurried inside to report to You Erjie. Although You Erjie was also taken aback, since the visitor had already arrived, she had to receive her according to propriety. She hastily straightened her clothes and went out to greet her. By the time she reached the gate, Xifeng was just alighting from the carriage and entering. You Erjie saw that Xifeng’s head was adorned with plain silver ornaments, and she wore a moon-white satin jacket, a black satin cape, and a white silk skirt. Her eyebrows curved like willow leaves, their tips rising high, and her eyes were like those of a phoenix, with a concentrated gaze in their triangular corners. She was as lovely as peach blossoms in spring, yet as pure as chrysanthemums in autumn. Zhou Rui and Wang’er, two maids, supported her as she entered the courtyard. You Erjie hurried forward with a smile, making a deep curtsy as she said, “Sister, you have honored me with your visit, but I failed to welcome you from afar. I beg you to forgive my discourtesy in not being prepared.” As she spoke, she began to bow. Xifeng immediately returned the bow with a smile. The two took each other’s hands and entered the room together.

Xifeng took the seat of honor, and You Erjie ordered a maid to bring a cushion, preparing to perform the formal obeisance. “I am young and inexperienced,” she said. “Since arriving here, everything has been decided by my mother and elder sister. Today, I am fortunate to meet you. If you do not despise my humble origins, I beg you to instruct and guide me in all matters. I will open my heart to you and serve you with all my devotion.” With these words, she began to bow again. Xifeng quickly rose from her seat and returned the courtesy, saying hastily, “It is all due to my foolish, womanish views. I have always urged my husband to be cautious and not to indulge in dalliances outside, for fear of causing our parents worry. This is the foolish devotion of us both. But how could I have known that the Second Master misunderstood my intentions? He might have concealed his affairs with prostitutes and sing-song girls from me, but marrying you, Sister, as a secondary wife—such a major event, involving such important rites—he did not even inform me. I myself had urged the Second Master to perform this ceremony earlier, to ensure the continuation of the family line. I never expected that he would mistake me for a jealous wife and carry out this great matter secretly, without a word to me. I have no one to complain to; only Heaven and Earth can bear witness. I heard rumors of this ten days ago, but I dared not speak of it, fearing the Second Master would be displeased. Now that he is away on a long journey, I have come in person to pay my respects. I beg you to understand my true feelings and to take the trouble to move into our home. Let us two sisters live together, advise our husband with one heart, be prudent in worldly affairs, and care for our health—that is the proper way. If you remain outside while I am inside, even though I am too lowly to be worthy of your company, my heart would find no peace. Moreover, if outsiders hear of this, it would be most improper. The Second Master’s reputation must also be considered. Let them gossip about me—I will not complain. Thus, my good name for the rest of my life rests entirely upon you, Sister. As for the talk of servants and underlings, it is only natural that they might add fuel to the flames behind my back, seeing how strict I am in managing the household. But you, Sister, are a person of discernment—how could you believe such nonsense? If I were truly at fault, I have three generations of parents-in-law above me, countless sisters and sisters-in-law beside me, and this illustrious Jia family, which has been renowned for generations—how could I have been tolerated until now? That the Second Master has secretly married you outside is something that would anger others, but I consider it my good fortune. It is as if Heaven, Earth, gods, and spirits could not bear to see me slandered by petty people and have therefore brought about this event. Today, I beg you to come inside and live with me as equals—sharing the same portions and the same rules, serving our parents-in-law together, and admonishing our husband together. We will share joy and sorrow, love each other like true sisters, and be closer than flesh and blood. Not only will those petty people regret their mistaken view of me, but when the Second Master returns and sees this, even he, as a husband, will secretly repent in his heart. Thus, you, Sister, are my great benefactress, washing my former reputation clean. If you refuse to come with me, I am willing to stay here and keep you company. I would rather be the younger sister, serving you daily as you comb your hair and wash your face. I only beg you to speak well of me before the Second Master and allow me a small place to live. Even in death, I would be content.” As she spoke, she began to sob. Seeing this, You Erjie could not help but shed tears herself.

After they had exchanged formal courtesies, they took their seats in order of precedence. Pinger then came forward to pay her respects. You Erjie noticed her fine attire and her refined bearing and manner, and guessed that she must be Pinger. She hastily took her by the hand and said, “Sister, please don’t do that. We are equals.” Xifeng quickly rose and said with a smile, “You would be the death of her! Sister, just let her perform the obeisance. She was originally our maidservant. In the future, don’t treat her so.” Then she ordered Zhou Rui’s wife to take out four bolts of the finest silk and four pairs of gold and pearl hairpins and earrings as gifts for the formal meeting. You Erjie hurriedly thanked her and accepted them. The two then drank tea and talked about the past. Xifeng’s words were full of self-reproach and self-blame, saying, “There is no one else to blame. Now I only beg you, Sister, to have pity on me,” and the like. Seeing this, You Erjie believed her to be an extremely good person, thinking it natural that disgruntled servants would slander their mistress. So she opened her heart, and after chatting for a while, she regarded Xifeng as a true friend. Moreover, Zhou Rui and the other maids standing by praised Xifeng’s many virtuous deeds, saying that her only fault was that she was too soft-hearted, which incurred others’ resentment. They also said, “We have already prepared rooms for you, madam. You will see for yourself when you enter.” You Erjie had long wished to move in and live together, and now seeing this, how could she refuse? She said, “I should naturally follow you, Sister, but what about this place?” Xifeng replied, “What’s so difficult about that? Your trunks and valuables can simply be moved in by the servants. These bulky, clumsy things are useless and can be left here under someone’s watch. You can decide who is reliable enough to stay and look after them.” You Erjie quickly said, “Since I have met you today, Sister, once I enter, everything will be managed by you. I have only been here a short time and have never managed a household. I don’t understand worldly affairs. How dare I make decisions? Just take these few trunks inside. I have nothing valuable—they are only the Second Master’s things.” Hearing this, Xifeng ordered Zhou Rui’s wife to make a careful inventory and have them carried to the eastern wing with good care. Then she urged You Erjie to dress properly, and the two took each other’s hands and got into the carriage, sitting together. Xifeng quietly told her, “Our family has very strict rules. The old lady knows nothing of this matter. If she found out that the Second Master married you during the mourning period, she would surely have him beaten to death. For now, you must not see the old lady or Lady Wang. We have a very large garden where the young ladies live, and people rarely go there. You should stay in the garden for a few days first, and when I have found a way to explain matters properly, it will be safe for you to meet them.” You Erjie replied, “I will do as you decide.” The servants accompanying the carriage had been instructed beforehand, so instead of going through the main gate, they headed straight for the back gate.

After getting out of the carriage, she dispersed the crowd. Xifeng then led You-shi through the back gate of Grand View Garden and came to Li Wan’s place to meet her. By then, nine out of ten people in the garden already knew; now, seeing Xifeng bringing her in, many came to look and ask questions. You Erjie met them one by one. Everyone, seeing her beauty and gentleness, praised her without exception. Xifeng instructed everyone: “None of you are to let a word slip outside. If the old lady or the mistress finds out, I’ll have you dead first.” The old women and maids in the garden had always feared Xifeng, and since this was something Jia Lian had done during the national and family mourning periods, knowing it was a serious matter, they all stayed out of it. Xifeng quietly begged Li Wan to take her in for a few days, “Once I’ve explained things clearly, we’ll naturally move over.” Li Wan saw that Xifeng had already prepared rooms on her side, and besides, during mourning, it was not proper to be conspicuous; this was the right course, so she had to take her in and let her stay temporarily. Xifeng also found ways to dismiss all of her own maids and gave one of her own maids to You Erjie for service. She secretly instructed the women in the garden: “Take good care of her. If she runs off or is lost, I’ll hold you all accountable.” Then she herself went off to secretly handle matters. Everyone in the household was secretly puzzled, saying, “Look how suddenly virtuous she’s become.”

You Erjie, having found this place and seeing that all the sisters in the garden were kind to her, felt at ease and content, thinking she had found a safe haven. Who knew that after three days, the maid Shanjie began to be disobedient. You Erjie said, “There’s no hair oil. Go and tell the elder mistress to bring some.” Shanjie replied, “Second Mistress, how can you be so ungrateful and lack discernment? Our mistress has to wait on the old lady every day, as well as on this mistress and that mistress. There are all these sisters-in-law and sisters, hundreds of mouths up and down, rising every day and all waiting for her orders. At the very least, in one day, there are ten or twenty major matters and thirty or fifty minor ones. Outside, from the Imperial Consort down to the families of princes, dukes, and marquises, there are countless social obligations and gifts; inside, there are all these relatives to manage. Silver by the thousands and tens of thousands passes through her hands, her mind, and her mouth every day. How can she be bothered with such a trivial thing? I advise you to bear with it a little. We weren’t brought in through proper matchmaking and a formal wedding, after all. She’s the rarest virtuous woman since ancient times to treat you like this. If it were someone less kind, hearing such talk, they’d raise a ruckus, throw you out, and leave you half dead, and what could you do about it?” This speech made You Erjie lower her head; she felt there was some truth to it and had to make do. Gradually, Shanjie even grew too lazy to bring her meals, sometimes early, sometimes late, and what she brought was always leftovers. You Erjie mentioned it twice, but Shanjie instead started shouting first. You Erjie, afraid others would laugh at her for not knowing her place, had to endure it. Every five or eight days, she would see Xifeng, who was all smiles and kind words, constantly calling her “sister.” She also said, “If any servant is lacking in service and you can’t control them, just tell me, and I’ll beat them.” She would then scold the maids and women: “I know you well—you bully the weak and fear the strong. When my back is turned, who else do you fear? If the Second Mistress tells me even one word of complaint, I’ll have your lives.” You Erjie, seeing such kindness, thought, “Since she’s here, why should I make trouble? Servants not knowing better is only natural. If I complain, they’ll suffer injustice, and others will say I’m difficult.” So she covered for them instead.

Meanwhile, Xifeng sent Wang’er outside to investigate the details, and she soon knew all about You Erjie’s affairs. It turned out she had already been betrothed; her fiancé was now only nineteen, spending his days whoring and gambling, paying no heed to making a living, having squandered the family fortune. His father had driven him out, and he now lodged in a gambling den. His father had taken ten taels of silver from You Laoniang and called off the betrothal, but the young man didn’t know yet. This young man was named Zhang Hua. Xifeng learned the whole story, sealed twenty taels of silver for Wang’er, and secretly ordered him to lure Zhang Hua in and support him, telling him to write a plaint and go directly to the yamen to sue, accusing Master Lian of “violating imperial and family mourning decrees, defying the emperor and deceiving relatives, relying on wealth and power to force a withdrawal of betrothal, and taking a second wife while the first still lives,” and such charges. This Zhang Hua knew the stakes well and dared not act rashly at first. Wang’er reported back to Xifeng, who angrily scolded, “A mangy dog that can’t be propped up on the wall! Explain it to him carefully. Even if he accuses our family of treason, it’s nothing. I just want to use him to stir up a fuss, so everyone loses face. If the accusation is too big, I can naturally calm it down here.” Wang’er accepted the order and had to explain it carefully to Zhang Hua. Xifeng also instructed Wang’er, “If he accuses you, you go and confront him in court. This and that, such and such—I have my own plan.” Wang’er, hearing that she would back him, then had Zhang Hua add his own name to the plaint, saying, “You just accuse me of being the go-between and instigating the Second Master to do it.” Zhang Hua, now having a plan, discussed it with Wang’er, wrote the plaint, and the next day went to the Censorate to cry out for justice.

The censor took his seat in court, examined the plaint, and seeing it was an accusation against Jia Lian, with the servant Wang’er named in it, had no choice but to send men to the Jia mansion to summon Wang’er for confrontation. The runners dared not barge in directly and only sent word. Wang’er had been waiting for this; without needing a message, he was already waiting on that street. Seeing the runners, he went up to them with a smile and said, “Troubling you brothers, this must be because my case has come up. There’s no help for it—quick, put the cuffs on me.” The runners dared not and only said, “You just go on, sir. Don’t make a fuss.” So they went to the courtroom and knelt down. The censor ordered the plaint shown to him. Wang’er deliberately looked it over, kowtowed, and said, “I know all about this. My master indeed did this. But this Zhang Hua has always had a grudge against me and deliberately dragged me into it. There are others involved; I beg Your Honor to question further.” Zhang Hua kowtowed and said, “Although there are others, I dare not accuse them, so I only accused the servant.” Wang’er pretended to be anxious and said, “You fool! Speak up quickly! This is a court of law; even if it’s the master, you must say it.” Zhang Hua then named Jia Rong. The censor, hearing this, had no choice but to summon Jia Rong. Xifeng also sent Qing’er to secretly investigate; once she heard the case had been filed, she hurriedly summoned Wang Xin, told him about it, and ordered him to bribe the censor to only make a show of authority and frighten them, also giving him three hundred taels of silver for bribes. That night, Wang Xin went to the censor’s private residence and set things up. The censor knew the whole story and accepted the bribe. The next day in court, he only said that Zhang Hua was a rogue who, owing money to the Jia mansion, had fabricated charges to slander a good man. The Censorate had always been on good terms with Wang Ziteng, and Wang Xin had only gone home to mention it; besides, it was a matter of the Jia family, so they were eager to end it. They did not pursue the case further and only kept the plaint, ordering Jia Rong to appear for confrontation.

Now, Jia Rong and the others were busy with Jia Zhen’s affairs when suddenly someone came to report that someone had accused them of such and such, and they should quickly think of a plan. Jia Rong panicked and hurried to report to Jia Zhen. Jia Zhen said, “I was on guard against this move; it’s just that he’s bold enough.” He immediately sealed two hundred taels of silver and sent someone to bribe the Censorate, also ordering servants to go for confrontation. As they were discussing, someone reported, “The Second Mistress from the West Mansion has arrived.” Hearing this, Jia Zhen was startled and quickly tried to hide with Jia Rong. But Xifeng had already entered, saying, “Good elder brother, leading the younger brothers in such fine deeds!” Jia Rong hurriedly knelt to pay respects, but Xifeng grabbed him and dragged him inside. Jia Zhen, still smiling, said, “Serve your auntie well. Order them to kill a beast and prepare a meal.” Having said this, he quickly ordered a horse saddled and fled elsewhere.

Here, Xifeng, with Jia Rong in tow, reached the main hall. Madam You was just coming out to greet them, and seeing Xifeng’s angry expression, she forced a smile and said, “What urgent business brings you here in such a flurry?” Xifeng spat in her face and cried, “The girls of your You family are worthless, so you steal them and send them to the Jia family! Are all the men in the Jia family so fine that the whole world is bereft of men? Even if you were willing to give her away, you should have had three matchmakers and six witnesses, explained it to everyone, and done things properly. You’ve lost your wits, your mind is clouded with lard—with both national mourning and family mourning upon you, you still sent someone over. Now we’ve been reported to the authorities, and I’m as helpless as a crab without legs. Even in official circles, they know I’m fierce and jealous, and now they’ve named me directly, demanding I be divorced. What wrong have I done since I married into your family, that you should harm me so? Or has the old lady or the mistress said something to you, making you set this trap to force me out? Let’s go to the authorities together and get this cleared up. Then we’ll summon the whole clan and settle it face to face. Give me a writ of divorce, and I’ll leave at once.” As she spoke, she wailed loudly, pulling Madam You along and insisting on going to court. In panic, Jia Rong knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging, “Aunt, please calm your anger.” Xifeng then turned to curse Jia Rong: “You heartless seed, struck by thunder and torn apart by five demons! You don’t know the height of heaven or the depth of earth, and all day long you stir up trouble, causing these shameless, lawless, family-ruining affairs. Even your dead mother’s spirit won’t forgive you, nor will the ancestors—and you dare to advise me!” Crying and cursing, she raised her hand to strike him. Jia Rong quickly kowtowed with a loud thud and said, “Aunt, don’t lose your temper, be careful of your hand—let me hit myself. Aunt, don’t be angry.” With that, he raised his own hand and slapped himself left and right across the face, then asked himself, “Will I ever meddle in things without regard for consequences again? Will I ever only listen to Uncle and not Aunt anymore?” The crowd was both trying to soothe her and wanting to laugh, but dared not.

Xifeng rolled into Madam You’s arms, wailing bitterly to heaven and earth, and sobbed, “I don’t mind you marrying off your brother. But why did you let him defy the imperial decree and break off the engagement, making me bear the infamy? Let’s just go to court, to save the constables and runners from coming here. Moreover, let’s go see the old lady, the mistress, and all the clan, and hold a public discussion. Since I’m neither virtuous nor willing to let my husband take a wife or buy a concubine, just give me a writ of divorce, and I’ll leave immediately. I’ve even brought your sister here myself, for fear of angering the old lady and the mistress, and I dared not report it. She’s now staying in the Garden with three meals and six teas, attended by golden slaves and silver maids. I’m busy preparing a house for her, on the same footing as myself, waiting only for the old lady to know. Originally, I said we’d all live peaceably and not bring up the past. But then I found out she was already promised to someone else. I don’t know what you’ve been up to—I’m completely in the dark. Now they’ve sued me. I panicked yesterday; even if I went to court, it would only disgrace your Jia family, so I had to secretly take five hundred taels of the mistress’s silver to bribe them. And now my people are still locked up.” After speaking, she cried again, then cursed, and finally wailed aloud for her ancestors and parents, threatening to kill herself or smash her head against the wall. She kneaded Madam You into a ball of dough, covering her clothes with tears and snot. Madam You had no words left, only cursing Jia Rong: “You wretched seed! What fine deeds you and your father have done! I knew it would end badly.” Hearing this, Xifeng stopped crying, grabbed Madam You’s face with both hands, and stared straight at her, asking, “Are you out of your mind? Do you have an eggplant stuffed in your mouth? Or have they put a bit on you? Why didn’t you tell me? If you had told me, wouldn’t things be peaceful now? How did it come to this, with officials and courts stirred up, and you still blaming them? Since ancient times, it’s been said: ‘A virtuous wife brings few troubles to her husband; a strong inner chamber is better than a strong outer one.’ If you had been any good at all, how could they have caused such trouble? You have no ability, no eloquence—you’re a gourd with its mouth sawed off, only indulging in blind caution to earn a reputation for virtue. The truth is, they neither fear you nor listen to you.” With that, she spat several times. Madam You also wept, saying, “Isn’t that the truth? If you don’t believe me, ask my attendants. Didn’t I try to advise them? But would they listen? What could I do? I can’t blame you for being angry, sister—I can only listen and bear it.”

By now, the concubines, maids, and serving women had knelt in a dark crowd all over the floor, smiling ingratiatingly and pleading, “Second Mistress is most clear-sighted. Even if our mistress is at fault, you’ve punished her enough. Before us servants, you ladies have always been so close—please, Mistress, spare her some face.” As they spoke, they offered tea. Xifeng knocked the tea away, stopped crying to tidy her hair, then wept and cursed Jia Rong again: “Go out and invite Elder Brother here. I want to ask him face to face: when the filial mourning for one’s own father is barely at the fifth seventh-day, a nephew marries—I never knew such a custom. I’ll ask him so I can learn it myself and teach my children and nephews in the future.” Jia Rong only knelt and kowtowed, saying, “This matter has nothing to do with my parents. It was all my fault—I was muddle-headed and instigated Uncle to do it. My father knew nothing. Now my father is planning to arrange for the funeral of the Great Grandfather. If you make a scene, Aunt, I’m as good as dead. I only beg you to punish me, and I’ll accept it willingly. As for this lawsuit, I beg you to handle it—I’m utterly incapable of such a great task. You are such a person, Aunt, surely you know the saying, ‘An arm broken must be hidden in the sleeve.’ I am utterly foolish; having done such an unfilial deed, I’m no better than a cat or a dog. Now that you’ve taught me a lesson, please don’t bother with someone like me. At the very least, I must trouble you to use your efforts to suppress matters on the outside. After all, you have this unworthy son of yours; since he’s caused trouble, you must bear with it and still pity him.” With that, he continued kowtowing without pause.

Seeing that the mother and son were like this, Xifeng knew she could press no further, so she shifted her tone and demeanor once more and turned to apologize to Madam You, saying, “I am but young and inexperienced. As soon as someone told me, I was frightened out of my wits, and I don’t know how I offended you just now. But as Rong said, ‘If the arm is broken, hide it in the sleeve.’ I must ask you, sister-in-law, to bear with me. And I also need you to tell my brother-in-law for me, to have this lawsuit suppressed first.” Madam You and Jia Rong said together, “Rest assured, auntie, none of this will implicate uncle in the least. As for the five hundred taels you mentioned having spent, we mother and son will surely scrape together five hundred taels and send them over to you, to make up for it. Otherwise, to let you bear the name of a deficit would make us all the more deserving of death. But there is one more thing: before the old lady and the ladies, auntie must be circumspect and keep silent about these matters.” Xifeng gave a cold laugh and said, “You forced me to be your cat’s-paw, and now you try to coax me into covering for you. Though I may be a fool, I am not that foolish. Your brother is my husband, and if you fear he might have no heir, how could I not fear it even more? Your sister-in-law’s younger sister is just like my own sister. As soon as I heard this news, I was so delighted I couldn’t sleep all night, and I hurried people to clear a room, intending to bring her in to live with us. It was only those base servants with their petty views who said, ‘The mistress is too good-natured. If it were up to us, we would first inform the old lady and the ladies to see what they think, and then prepare the rooms and fetch her—that would not be too late.’ When I heard that, I scolded and threatened them until they shut up. Who would have thought it would go against my wishes and slap my face? Out of nowhere, this Zhang Hua appeared and filed a lawsuit. When I heard of it, I was so terrified I didn’t close my eyes for two nights. I dared not make it known, so I had to send people to find out who this Zhang Hua was, that he should be so bold. After two days of inquiry, it turned out he was nothing but a shameless beggar. Being young and inexperienced, I actually laughed and said, ‘What is he suing for?’ But the servants said, ‘It was the second mistress who promised him marriage. Now he’s desperate—freezing or starving to death is still death, and since he has this grievance to seize upon, even if he dies, it would be more worthwhile than freezing or starving. How could he not sue? This whole affair was handled too hastily by the master. There’s the crime of violating national mourning, the crime of violating family mourning, the crime of marrying privately behind his parents’ backs, and the crime of taking another wife while the first is still alive. As the saying goes, “One who is not afraid to be flayed alive dares to pull the emperor off his horse.” A man driven mad by poverty will stop at nothing, especially when he holds such a perfect case. If he doesn’t sue, is he to wait for an invitation?’ Sister-in-law, I tell you, even if I were Han Xin or Zhang Liang, hearing this would have scared all my wits away. Your brother is not at home, and I had no one to consult, so I had no choice but to use money to patch things up. But the more money I spent, the more I gave them a handle to blackmail me. I’m like a mouse with a boil on its tail—how much pus and blood can I have? So, torn between anxiety and anger, I had to come to you.” Before she finished, Madam You and Jia Rong said together, “Don’t worry; it will naturally be taken care of.” Jia Rong added, “This Zhang Hua is only driven by poverty, so he risked his life to sue. Now we can devise a plan: offer him some silver, make him plead guilty to a false accusation, and we’ll handle the lawsuit for him. Once he’s out, we’ll give him more silver, and that will be the end of it.” Xifeng smiled and said, “Good child, no wonder you act so recklessly and do such things—you are truly muddled. If we do as you say, he might agree for now, get through the lawsuit, and pocket the silver. That would settle things for the moment. But these fellows are scoundrels; once the silver is spent, he’ll find some pretext to blackmail us again. If he stirs up this business anew, we may not be afraid, but it will still be a worry. Besides, he’ll argue that if there were no fault, why give him silver? In the end, it will never be truly settled.” Jia Rong, being a clever fellow, heard this and said with a smile, “I have another idea. ‘He who brings trouble must take it away.’ This matter must be settled by me. Let me go and ask Zhang Hua what he wants—whether he insists on having the woman, or whether he’d rather take money and marry someone else. If he says he must have her, then I’ll have to persuade my second aunt to come out and marry him. If he wants money, we’ll give it to him.” Xifeng quickly said, “Even so, I absolutely cannot bear to let your aunt go out, nor will I allow it. Dear nephew, if you care for me, just give him more money.” Jia Rong knew well that though Xifeng spoke thus, in her heart she wished nothing more than for the woman to leave, so that she could play the virtuous wife. Now, whatever he said, she agreed to it. Xifeng was pleased and said, “But if the matter outside is settled, what about the household? You must come with me to inform them properly.” Madam You grew flustered again and pulled at Xifeng, asking her advice on how to lie. Xifeng sneered and said, “If you didn’t have the ability, who told you to do this? Now you put on this pitiful air, and I can’t stand it. If I don’t come up with a plan, I’m too soft-hearted—people push me around, and I still act like a fool. I suppose I’ll have to take it upon myself. Now, you two just stay out of sight. I’ll take your sister to kowtow to the old lady and the ladies, and say that I fancied her because she is your sister, and I thought her very fine. Since I haven’t been very fertile, I had intended to buy two women to keep in the house. Now that I’ve seen your sister and she is so good, and this is a marriage between relatives, I wished to take her as a second wife. But because her parents and sisters have all recently died, and she is in dire straits, unable to support herself, if I waited until after the hundred days of mourning, she would have no home or livelihood, and it would be too hard to wait. So I took it upon myself to bring her in, had a side room prepared for her to stay in temporarily, and will wait until the mourning period is over to complete the wedding. Relying on my thick-skinned shamelessness, I’ll brazen it out no matter what. If there is any fault, it won’t fall on you. Think it over, mother and son—will this work?” Madam You and Jia Rong both laughed and said, “Truly, auntie is magnanimous and full of stratagems. When this is settled, we mother and son will come over to kowtow in thanks.” Madam You then ordered the maids to attend to Xifeng’s toilet and washing, set out wine and food, and personally poured wine and picked dishes for her.

Xifeng did not stay long but insisted on leaving. Back in the garden, she told the whole story to You Erjie, saying how she had worried and made inquiries, and how she had devised a plan, that it must be thus and so to save everyone from blame, and that she would have to break up the fish head herself to make things right for all. But what happened next is unknown; listen to the next chapter for the explanation.