第20章 出生是人生的起点（12）

　　当年时又通家来往，从小儿都在一处玩过。叙亲是姑舅兄妹，又没嫌疑。虽离了这几年，前儿一到他家，夏奶奶又是没儿子的，一见了薛蟠出落得这样标致，又是哭，又是笑，竟比见了儿子的还胜。又令他兄妹相见。谁知这姑娘出落得花朵似的了，在家里也读书写字，所以薛蟠当时就一心看准了。连当铺里老伙计们一群人，罥扰了人家三四日。他们还留多住几天，好容易苦辞，才放回家。薛蟠一进门，就咕咕唧唧求他妈去求亲。她妈原是见过的，又且门当户对，也依了。打发人去一说，就成了。原来这夏家小姐今年方十七岁，生得亦颇有姿色，亦颇识得几个字。若论心里的邱壑经纬，颇步熙凤的后尘。只吃亏了一件：从小时父亲去世早，又无同胞兄弟，寡母独守此女，娇养溺爱，不啻珍宝，凡女儿一举一动，她母亲皆百依百顺，因此未免酿成个盗跖的情性；爱自己尊若菩萨，窥他人秽如粪土；外具花柳之姿，内秉风雷之性。在家里和丫鬟们使性赌气，轻骂重打的。今儿出了阁，自为要作当家的奶奶，比不得做女儿时腼腆温柔，须要拿出威风来，才钤压得住人；又见有香菱这等一个才貌双全的爱妾在室，越发添了“宋太祖灭南唐”之意。薛蟠本是个怜新弃旧的人，且是有酒胆无饭力的，如今得了这一个妻子，正在新鲜兴头上，凡事未免尽让她些。那夏金桂见是这般形景，便也试着一步紧似一步。一月之中，二人气概都还相平；至两月之后，便觉薛蟠的气概渐次低矮了下去。那金桂见丈夫旗纛渐倒，婆婆良善，也就渐渐的持戈试马起来。先时不过挟制薛蟠，后来倚娇作媚，将及薛姨妈，后将至宝钗。那时金桂又吵闹了数次。薛蟠有时仗着酒胆，挺撞过两三次，持棍欲打，那金桂便递身叫打；这里持刀欲杀时，便伸着脖颈。薛蟠也实不能下手，只得乱闹了一阵罢了。如今已成习惯自然，反使金桂越长威风。又渐次辱嗔宝蟾。宝蟾比不得香菱，正是个烈火干柴，既和薛蟠情投意合，便把金桂放在脑后。近见金桂又作践她，她便不肯低服半点。先是一冲一撞的拌嘴；后来金桂气急，甚至于骂，再至于打。她虽不敢还手，便也撒泼打滚，寻死觅活，昼则刀剪，夜则绳索，无所不闹。薛蟠一身难以两顾，惟徘徊观望，十分闹得无法，便出门躲着。真是“薛文起悔娶河东狮”（第七十九回）！薛蟠亦无别法，惟悔恨不该娶这“搅家星”！（第八十回）Xue Pan’s family members and relatives have been debating his marriage for half a year. Last time XuePan went a business trip， he called on some relatives on the way. They’ve been related to Xue family sinceway back and are also registered in the Board of Revenue as purchasing agents for the court—they’re oneof the wealthiest families around. The whole capital， from nobles down to tradesmen， all call that family theOsmanthus Xia.“It’s partly fate， and partly a case of‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’In the old daysthe two families were on close terms and as children they played together. Since they rank as cousins， theydidn’t have to avoid each other according to the rules of propriety. And though they hadn’t met for so manyyears， as soon as he visited her family old Mrs. Xia， having no son herself， struck by Xue Pan’s good looksshed tears of joy， mare delighted than if he had been her own son. She presented the two young people toeach other. Well， the girl who’d grown up as pretty as a flower was taught to read and write at home； so XuePan made up his mind then and there. The Xia family entertained him for three or four days， and those oldpawnshop assistants of his as well， pressing them to stay even longer， and only letting them leave when theyabsolutely insisted.“As soon as Xue Pan got home， he pestered his mother to ask for the girl’s hand. As shehad seen the girl and the two families were well matched， she agreed. She then sent someone to propose themarriage， and it was immediately settled. Now this Miss Xia， who had just turned seventeen， was quite good-looking and had some education. As regards ability and craftiness， she took after Xifeng. In one respect onlyhad she been unlucky. Because her father had died when she was a child， and she had no brothers either， herwidowed mother had spoilt this only daughter， doting on her and falling in with all her whims. Inevitably， thisover-indulgence had made her like the brigand Dao Zhi of old： she had as high an opinion of herself as if shewere a goddess， and treated others like dirt. In appearance pretty as a flower， at heart she was a termagant.

　　At home she had vented her temper on her maids， for ever cursing them or beating them. Now that she wasmarried， she felt it incumbent on her to behave as the mistress of the house， not with the gentle shynessbefitting a girl—she must show her authority to keep others under her thumb. Moreover， the presence of sucha charming and talented concubine as Xiangling had filled her with the same resolve as the First Emperor ofSung when he decided to wipe out the Prince of Southern Tang， demanding，“How can I let another sleepalongside my bed？”Now Xue Pan was a man who would discard the old as soon as he had something new，and one who looked tough but lacked stamina. Pleased with his new wife at the start， he humoured her. AndXia Jingui observing this tried to control him more strictly step by step. For the first month they were onequal terms； after two months Xue Pan began to give ground. After that Xue Pan took greater pains not toprovoke her， and inevitably this humbled him still more. Seeing that her husband was lowering his coloursand her mother-in-law was good-natured， Jingui pressed her attack by degrees. At first she simply keptXue Pan under her thumb； later she tried artfully to control Aunt Xue as well， and Baocahi too. MeanwhileJingui continued to make scenes， upsetting Aunt Xue and Baochai； but all they could do was to shed tears insecret as they lamented their face. Two or three times Xue Pan， emboldened by wine， stormed at his wife andthreatened her with a stick， but Jingui simply dared him to beat her. When he threatened her with a knife， shestretched out her neck and challenged him to kill her. Then， unable to bring himself to it， he could only ragefor a while. When this had happened several times， Jingui became even more overbearing and Xue Pan evenmore spineless. With Xiangling still in the house， Jingui could never be fully at ease； however， she let her befor the time being， as she was no longer an annoyance to her. It was now with Baochan that she started findingfault. But Baochan， unlike Xiangling， had a fiery temper and as she was on good terms with Xue Pan she feltshe could afford to ignore her mistress. When Jingui tried to bully her， she refused to give ground. At first theysimply wrangled. Then Jingui， when in a temper， would curse and beat her. Through Baochan could not strikeback she would throw a tantrum， roll on the ground and threaten to kill herself， searching for knives or scissorsby day and for a rope by night， raising pandemonium. Xue Pan， unable to cope with the two of them， couldonly pace to and fro between both women， watching. If they became too rowdy， he would go out and keepaway from the house. It is true that“Xue Pan Marries a Fierce Lioness and Repents Too Late”(Chapter 79)！

　　Xue Pan too is helpless， only regretting day and night that he has married this monster (Chapter 80).

　　薛蟠对家里吵闹厌倦了，就决心去南边置货。这日他想约个人同行，这人叫吴良，住在离这城南二百多里地。他去找吴良，遇见了过去的好友蒋玉菡，带着些小戏子进城，他就请他们吃饭喝酒。因为这当槽儿的尽拿着眼瞟蒋玉菡，薛蟠就有了气了。后来蒋玉菡走了。

　　第二天，薛蟠请吴良喝酒。酒后想起头一天的事来，叫那当槽儿的人换酒，那当槽儿的来迟了，薛蟠就骂起来了。那个人不依，薛蟠就拿起酒碗照他打去。谁知那个人也算个泼皮，便把头伸过来叫打，薛蟠拿碗砸他的脑袋，一下子就冒了血，躺在地下。头里还骂，后头就不言语了。因此，“薛文起复惹放流刑”（第八十五回），并被捕监禁。薛姨妈又在他们自己的当铺里兑了更多的银子，叫小厮赶着送去。薛蝌用送去的钱收买了衙门上下官吏，买嘱尸亲见证；薛姨妈又到贾府与王夫人说明原故，恳求贾政。贾政只肯托人与知县说情，不肯提及银物。薛姨妈恐不中用，求凤姐与贾琏说了，花上几千银子，才把知县买通。薛蝌那里也便弄通了，然后知县挂牌坐堂，作了有利薛蟠的审断，终定了误伤：那就意味着将来尸亲那里再花些银子，一准赎罪，便没事了。当薛姨妈筹足了为儿子赎罪的银两后，刑部准了，收兑了银子，一角文书，将薛蟠放出。薛姨妈对她儿子说：“只是香菱跟你受了多少苦处，你媳妇儿已经自己治死自己了。据我的主意，我便算香菱是媳妇了。你心里怎么样？”薛蟠点头同意并立誓道：“若是在犯前病，必定犯杀犯剐！”立誓悔过自新。薛蟠是个典型的富人后代。他是个败家子。但他对他母亲还算孝敬。

　　Xue Pan was so sick of all these rows at home that he made up his mind to go south to buy goods. Hedecided to ask somebody to go with him—a certain Wu Liang who lives more than two hundred li south ofthis city. On his way to find Wu Liang he met that Jiang Yuhan who used to be such a friend of his， bringingsome young actors to town. While they were having a meal and drinking together in his inn， Xue Pan wasannoyed by the way the waiter kept staring at Jiang Yuhan. But then Jiang left. The next day， while drinkingwith Wu Liang， Xue Pan remembered what had happened the day before and， when the waiter was slow inbringing fresh wine， he threatened him with his wine bowl. The rogue craned his neck， daring Xue Pan tohit him. Then Xue Pan brought the bowl down on his head. Blood spurted out and he dropped to the groundswearing—but very soon he fell silent. Consequently，“Xue Pan Is Involved in Another ManslaughterCase”(Chapter 85). He was arrested and put in jail (Chapter 86). Aunt Xue sent the page back with moremoney from the pawnshop of their own. With the money Aunt Xue sent Xue Ke squared the yamen officersand bribed the dead man’s relatives and the witnesses； Aunt Xue went straight to the Jia Mansion to tell LadyWang of this and appeal to her husband. Jia Zheng agreed only to send someone to speak to the magistrate—not to send him a bribe. And doubting the use of this， Aunt Xue prevailed on Xifeng to send Jia Lian withseveral thousand taels to buy off the magistrate， while Xue Ke at the same time squared the others involved.

　　Then the magistrate held a fresh trial， to which he decided the case in Xue Pan’s favour， returning a verdictof death by misadventure. That means after paying the dead man’s family more compensation， Xue Panshould have no further trouble. When Aunt Xue had raised enough money to ransom her son， the Board ofPunishments sanctioned this and after receiving the money issued an order for Xue Pan’s release. To the son，Aunt Xue said： Xiangling’s had so much to put up with since becoming your concubine， now that your wifehas killed herself， I suggest making her my daughter-in-law. What do you think？”Xue Pan nodded hisagreement and swore：“If I ever run amuck again， may I be killed and disemboweled！”He expresses hisrepentance and determination to turn over a new leaf.

　　Xue Pan is a typical representative of the younger generation of the rich. He is a prodigal sonsquandering family fortune. But he treats his mother with filial respect.

　　刘姥姥：刘姥姥是个久经世代的老寡妇，膝下又无子息，只靠两亩薄田度日。她有个女儿，嫁给本地一个姓王的。女婿的祖上也做过一个小小京官，昔年曾与凤姐之祖王夫人之父认识，因贪王家的势利，便连了宗，认作侄儿。那时只有王夫人之大兄凤姐之父与王夫人随在京的知有此一门远族，余者也皆不知。目今其祖早故，只有一个儿子，名唤王成，因家业萧条，仍搬出城外乡村中住了。王成亦相继身故，有子小名狗儿，娶刘姥姥之女刘氏为妻，生子小名板儿；又生一女，名唤青儿：一家四口，以务农为业。因狗儿白日间自作些生计，刘氏又操井臼等事，青板姊弟两个，无人照管，狗儿遂将岳母刘姥姥接来，一处生活。

　　Granny Liu： Granny Liu is an old widow who has been through much and is supporting herself asbest she can on two mu of poor land because she has no son. But she has a daughter who has been marriedoff to a local man whose surname is Wang. Wang’s grandfather while a petty official in the capital hadcome to know Xifeng’s grandfather， Lady Wany’s father. Eager to attach himself to the powerful Wangs，he“joined family”with them， calling himself Wang’s nephew. At that time only Lady Wang and herelder brother， Xifeng’s father， both of whom had accompanied their father to the capital， were aware of thisremote“clansman.”The rest of the Wangs knew nothing about these connections. The grandfather had diedleaving a son Wang Cheng who， since the family was then in a poor way， moved back to their native villageoutside the capital. Recently Wang Cheng too had fallen ill and died， leaving a son Gou’er， who has marriedGranny Liu’s daughter. They have a son called Ban’er and a daughter called Qing’er. Their family of fourlive on the land. As Gou’er is busy during the day and his wife has the housework to see to， there is nobody tomind the children. So Gou’er has fetched his mother-in-law Granny Liu to live with them.

　　刘姥姥被女婿接了养活，岂不愿意呢，遂一心一计，帮着女儿女婿过活。因这年秋尽冬初，天气冷将上来，家中冬事未办，狗儿未免心中烦燥，吃了几杯闷酒，在家里闲寻气恼，刘氏不敢顶撞。因此刘姥姥看不过，便劝道：“姑爷，你别嗔着我多嘴：咱们村庄人，那一个不是老老诚诚的，守多大碗儿吃多大的饭。你皆因年小时候，托着老子娘的福，吃喝惯了，如今所以有了钱就顾头不顾尾，没了钱就瞎生气，成了什么男子汉大丈夫了！如今咱们虽离城住着，终是天子脚下。这‘长安’城中，遍地皆是钱，只可惜没人会去拿罢了。在家跳蹋也没用！”狗儿听了道：“你老只会炕上坐着混说，难道叫我打劫去不成？”刘姥姥说道：“谁叫你去打劫呢？也到底大家想个办法才好。不然，那银子钱会自己跑到咱们家里来不成？”狗儿冷笑道：“有法儿还等到这会子呢！我又没有收税的亲戚、做官的朋友，有什么法子可想的？就有，也只怕他们未必来理我们呢！”刘姥姥道：“这倒也不然。‘谋事在人，成事在天’，咱们谋到了，靠菩萨的保佑，有些机会，也未可知。我倒替你们想出一个机会来。当日你们原是和金陵王家连过宗的。二十年前，他们看承你们还好，如今是你们拉硬屎，不肯去就和他，才疏远起来。想当初我和女儿还去过一遭，他家的二小姐，着实爽快会待人的，倒不拿大。如今现是荣国府贾二老爷的夫人，听见他们说，如今上了年纪，越发怜贫恤老的了，又爱斋僧布施。如今王府虽升了官儿，只怕二姑太太还认的咱们，你为什么不走动走动？或者他还念旧，有些好处也未可知。只要他发点好心，拔根寒毛比咱们的腰还壮呢！”谁知狗儿利名心重，听如此说，心里便有些活动，便笑道：“姥姥既这么说，况且当日你又见过这姑太太一次，为什么你老人家不明日走一遭，先试试风头儿去？”刘姥姥道：“哎哟！可是说的了：‘侯门深似海’，我是个什么东西，他家人又不认得我，去了也是白跑。”狗儿道：“不妨，我教给你个法儿。你竟带了小板儿先去找陪房周大爷，要见了他，就有些意思了。这周大爷先时和我父亲交过一桩事，我们本极好的。”刘姥姥接口道：

　　“我也知道。只是许多时不走动，知道他如今是怎样？这也说不得了！你又是个男人，这么个嘴脸，自然去不得。我们姑娘年轻的媳妇儿，也难卖头卖脚的，倒还是舍着我这副老脸去碰碰。果然有好处，大家也有益。”

　　Granny Liu is only too glad to be taken in and cared for by her son-in-law. She does her best to makeherself useful to him and her daughter. Autumn ended， the cold is setting in， and because they have madeno provision for the winter Gou’er is drinking a few cups to drown his cares then venting his spleen on hisfamily. His wife is afraid to talk back， but Granny Liu is not going to stand for this.“You mustn’t mind mebutting in， son-in-law，”she said.“We villagers are simple honest folk who eat according to the size of ourbowl. Your trouble is that your father gave you such a soft time of it when you were young that you’re a badmanager. When you have money you never look ahead； when you’ve none you fly into a tempter. That’s noway for a grown man to behave. We may be living outside the capital but we’re still at the feet of the Emperor.

　　And‘Chang’an’s streets are strewn with money—for those who know how to lay hands on it. What’s the useof flying into a huff at home ？”“It’s easy for you to jabber away on the kang，”Gou’er retorted.“Do youwant me to go out and steal？ To rob someone？”“Who’s asking you to rob anyone？ But let’s put our headstogether and think of something. Do you expect silver coins to come rolling in of themselves？”“Would Ihave waited all this time if there was some way out？”Gou’er snorted.“I’ve no relatives who live on rent， nofriends in official posts—what can I do？ Even if I had， they’d most likely cold-shoulder us.”“Don’t be sosure，”said Granny Liu.“Man proposes， Heaven disposes. Work out a plan， trust to Buddha， and somethingmay come of it for all you know. As a matter of fact， I’ve thought of a chance for you. In the old days you joinedfamilies with the Wangs of Jinling， and twenty years back they treated you not badly. Since then of courseyou’ve been too pig-headed to go near them， so that now you’ve drifted apart. I recollect calling on them oncewith my daughter. Their second young lady was really open-handed， so pleasant and free from airs. She’s nowthe wife of the second Lord Jia of the Rong Mansion. I hear she’s grown even more charitable and is alwayssetting aside rice and money to give alms to Buddhists and Taoists. Her brother has been promoted to somepost at the frontier， but I’m sure this Lady Wang would remember us. Why not go and try your luck？ She maydo something for us for old times’ sake. If she’s at all willing to help， one hair from her body would be thickerthan our waist.”Gou’er has an eye to the main chance. Attracted by this suggestion， he proposed：“Sincethis is your idea， mother， and you’ve called on the lady before， why not go there tomorrow and see how thewind blows？”“Aiya！‘The threshold of a noble house is deeper than sea.’And who am I？ The servantsthere don’t know me， it’s no use my going.”“That’s no problem，”Gou’er said.“I’ll tell you what to do.

　　Take young Ban’er with you and ask for their steward Zhou Rui. If you see him， we stand a chance. This ZhouRui had dealings with my old man and used to be on the best of terms with us.”“I know him too，”put inGranny Liu.“But how will they receive me after all this time？ Still， you’re a man and too much of a frightto go， and my daughter’s too young to make a show of herself. I’m old enough not to mind risking a snub. If Ihave any luck we’ll all share it. And even if I don’t bring back any silver the trip won’t be wasted—I’ll haveseen a little high life.”

　　次日天未明，刘姥姥带了板儿进城。问路来到宁荣街。她终于找到了周瑞家的。刘姥姥忙迎上去笑问道：“好呀，周嫂子。”周瑞家的认了半日，方笑道：“刘姥姥，你好？你说么，这几年不见，我就忘了。请家里坐。”互相问些别后闲话，又问刘姥姥是路过，还是特来的？刘姥姥便答道：“原是特来瞧瞧嫂子；二则也请请姑太太的安。若可以领我见一见更好，若不能，就借重嫂子转致意罢了。”周瑞家的听了，便已猜着几分来意。只因他丈夫昔年买田地一事，多得狗儿他父亲之力，今见刘姥姥如此，心中难却其意；二则也要显弄自己的体面，便笑说：“姥姥你放心。论理，人来客至，却都不与我相干。皆因你是太太的亲戚，又拿我当个人，投奔了我来，我竟破个例给你通个信儿去。——但只一件，你还不知道呢！我们这里不比五年前了，如今太太不理事，都是琏二奶奶当家。你打量琏二奶奶是谁？

　　就是太太的内侄女儿，大舅老爷的女儿，小名儿叫凤哥的。今儿宁可不见太太，倒得见凤姐一面，才不枉走这一遭儿。”刘姥姥道：“阿弥陀佛！这全仗嫂子方便了。”周瑞家的说：

　　“姥姥说那里话？俗话说得好：‘与人方便，自己方便。’”刘姥姥整顿衣服，又教了板儿几句话，跟着周瑞家的，逶迤往贾琏的住宅来。先至倒厅，周瑞家的将刘姥姥安插住等着，自己先找凤姐的一个心腹通房大丫头名唤平儿的，先将刘姥姥起初来历说明，又说：“今日大远的来请安，当日太太是常会的，所以我带了她过来。”平儿听了，便作了个主意，叫他们进来，先在这里坐着就是了。周瑞家的才出去领了他们进来。凤姐见周瑞家的已带了两个人立在面前了，这才忙欲起身、犹未起身，满面春风的问好，又嗔着周瑞家的：“怎么不早说！”刘姥姥已在地下拜了几拜，问姑奶奶安。凤姐忙说：“周姐姐，搀着不拜罢。我年轻，不大认得，可也不知是什么辈数儿，不敢称呼。”周瑞家的忙回道：“这就是我才回的那个姥姥了。”凤姐笑道：“亲戚们不大走动，都疏远了。知道的呢，说你们弃嫌我们，不常来；不知道的那起小人，还只当我们眼里没人似的。”又问周瑞家的：“回了太太没有？”周瑞家的道：“等奶奶的示下。”凤姐儿道：“你去瞧瞧，要是有人就罢；要得闲呢，就回了，看怎么说。”一会儿周瑞家的进来向凤姐道：“太太说：‘今日不得闲儿，二奶奶陪着也是一样，多谢费心想着。要是白来逛逛呢便罢；有什么说的，只管告诉二奶奶’。”周瑞家的又对刘姥姥道：“没有什么说的便罢；要有话，只管回二奶奶，和太太是一样儿的。”一方面说，一面递了个眼色儿。刘姥姥会意，未语先红了脸，便说道：“我今日带了你侄儿，不为别的，因他爹娘连吃的没有，天气又冷，只得带了你侄儿奔了你老来。”凤姐早已明白了，因笑道：“不必说了，我知道了。”因问周瑞家的：“这姥姥不知用早饭没有呢？”刘姥姥道：“一早就往这里赶咧，那里还有吃饭的工夫咧？”凤姐便命：

　　“快传饭来。”当周瑞家的带刘姥姥和板儿过去吃饭时，凤姐儿又叫过周瑞家的来问道：

　　“方才回了太太，太太怎么说了？”周瑞家的道：“太太说：‘他们原不是一家子；当年他们的祖与太老爷在一处做官，因连了宗的。这几年不大走动。当时他们来了，却也从没空过的；如今来瞧我们，也是她的好意，别简慢了她。要有什么话，叫二奶奶裁夺着就是了。’”说话间，刘姥姥已吃完了饭，拉了板儿过来，舔唇咂嘴的道谢。凤姐笑道：“且请坐下，听我告诉你：论起亲戚来，原该不等上门就有照应才是；但只如今家里事情太多，太太上了年纪，一时想不到是有的。我如今接着管事，这些亲戚们又都不大知道，况且外面看着，虽是烈烈轰轰，不知大有大的难处，说给人也未必信。你既大远的来了，又是头一遭儿和我张个口，怎么叫你空回去呢？可巧昨儿太太给我的丫头们作衣裳的二十两银子还没动呢，你不嫌少，先拿了去用罢。”刘姥姥只是千恩万谢的，拿了银钱，跟着周瑞家的走到外边。刘姥姥要留下一块银子给周家的孩子们买果子吃，周瑞家的那里放在眼里，执意不肯，刘姥姥感谢不尽，仍从后门回家去了。

　　The next day Granny Liu took Ban’er to the city. They asked their way to Rongning street. She lookedfor and found Zhou Rui’s home at last. Granny Liu hastened forward crying，“Sister Zhou！ How are you ？”Ittook the other some time to recognize her. Then she answered with a smile，“Why， it’s Granny Liu！ I declare，after all these years I hardly knew you. Come on in and sit down.”After a short exchange of polite inquiries，she asked Granny Liu whether she just happened to be passing or had come with any special object.“I camespecially to see you， sister， and also to inquire after Her Ladyship’s health.”replied Granny Liu.“If youcould take me to see her， that would be nice. If you can’t， I’ll just trouble you to pass on my respects.”Thisgave Mrs. Zhou a shrewd idea of the reason for her visit. Since Gou’er’s father had helped her husband topurchase some land， she could hardly refuse Granny Liu’s appeal for help. Besides， she was eager to show thatshe was someone of consequence in this household.“Don’t worry， granny，”she said with a smile.“Strictlyspeaking， it’s not my job to announce visitors. But since you’re related to Her Ladyship and have come to mefor help as if I were someone， I’ll make an exception and take in a message for you. I must tell you， though，that things have changed here in the last five years. Her Ladyship doesn’t handle much business any morebut leaves everything to the second master’s wife. And who do you think she is？ My Lady’s own niece， thedaughter of her elder brother and the one whose childhood name was Master Feng. Even if you don’t seeHer Ladyship you must see her， or your visit will have been wasted.”“Buddha be praised！”GrannyLiu said.“I’m most grateful for your help， sister.”“Don’t say that.”Mrs. Zhou replied.“As the sayinggoes：‘He who helps others helps himself’.”After some last-minute instructions to her grandson， GrannyLiu brushed her clothes and followed Mrs. Zhou by winding ways to Jia Lian’s quarters， then waited in acovered passageway while Mrs. Zhou went to explain who Granny Liu was to her trusted maid Ping’ er， whohad come here as part of Xifeng’s dowry and then become Jia Lian’s concubine.“She’s come all this waytoday to pay her respect. In the old days Her Ladyship always used to see her， so I’m sure she’ll receive her：

　　that’s why I’ve brought her in.”Ping’er decided to invite them in to sit down and accordingly Mrs. Zhou wentout to fetch them. When Xifeng saw Mrs. Zhou with her two charges before her， she made a motion as if to riseand greeted them with a radiant smile， scolding Mrs. Zhou for not speaking up before. Granny Liu had alreadycurtseyed several times to Xifeng， who now hastily said：“Help her up， Sister Zhou. She mustn’t curtsey tome. Ask her to be seated. I’m too young to remember what our relationship is， so I don’t know what to callher.”“This is the old lady I was just telling you about，”said Mrs. Zhou.“When relatives don’t call oneach other they drift apart.”observed Xifeng with a smile.“People who know us would say you’re neglectingus. Petty-minded people who don’t know us so well might imagine we look down on everyone else.”Sheturned to Mrs. Zhou and asked if she had notified Lady Wang.“I was waiting for madam’s instructions，”wasthe reply.“Go and see how busy she is.”Xifeng said.“If she has visitors， never mind. But if she’s free， lether know and see what she says.”Mrs. Zhou went out， reappearing to say：“Her Ladyship isn’t free today.

　　She hopes you’ll entertain them and thank them for coming. If they just dropped in for a call， well and good.

　　If they have any business they should tell you， madam.”“If you’ve nothing special， all right，”said Mrs.

　　Zhou.“If you have， telling our second mistress is just the same as telling Her Ladyship.”She winked atGranny Liu， who took the hint. Although her face burned with shame， she said，“The reason I brought yournephew here today is that his parents haven’t a bite to eat. And winter’s coming on， making things worse.

　　So I brought your nephew here to ask for your help.”Xifeng smiled at this blunt way of talking.“Don’tsay any more. I understand.”She asked Mrs. Zhou，“Has granny eaten yet？”“We set out first thing insuch a rush， we’d no time to eat anything，”said Granny Liu. At once Xifeng ordered a meal for the visitors.

　　When Mrs. Zhou had taken them to the east room for a meal， Xifeng called her back to hear what Lady Wanghad said.“Her Ladyship says they don’t really belong to our family，”Mrs. Zhou told her.“They joinedfamilies because they have the same surname and their grandfather was an official in the same place as ourold master. We haven’t seen much of them these last few years， but whenever they came we didn’t let themgo away empty-handed. Since they mean well， coming to see us， we shouldn’t slight them. If they need help，madam should use her own discretion.”As Xifeng was speaking Granny Liu came back from her meal withBan’er， loud in her thanks.“Sit down now and listen to me， dear old lady，”said Xifeng cheerfully.“Weshouldn’t wait for relatives to come to our door before we take care of them. But we’ve plenty of troublesomebusiness here， and now that Her Ladyship’s growing old she sometimes forgets things. Besides， when I tookcharge recently I didn’t really know all our family connections. Then again， although we look prosperous youmust realize that a big household has big difficulties of its own， though few may believe it. But since you’vecome so far today and this is the first time you’ve asked me for help， I can’t send you away empty-handed.

　　Luckily Her Ladyship gave me twenty taels of silver yesterday to make clothes for the maids， and I haven’tyet touched it. If you don’t think it too little， take that to be going on with.”Having thanked her profusely，Granny Liu took the silver and cash and followed Mrs. Zhou towards the servants’ quarters. Granny Liuwanted to leave a piece of silver to buy sweets for Mrs. Zhou’s children， but this Mrs. Zhou most resolutelydeclined—such small sums meant nothing to her. Then with boundless thanks Granny Liu left for their homeby the back gate.