Chapter 53

宁国府除夕祭宗祠

荣国府元宵开夜宴

Baoyu and a junior maid massage an exhausted Skybright, before they get a few hours sleep. In the morning, Dr Wang is called and is disconcerted by her deterioration – the illness has become serious and he writes a new prescription. Baoyu is upset, Skybright tells him not to worry. By the afternoon, Baoyu feigns illness at his uncle’s and returns to her. She is soon on the mend, thanks to a strong constitution and good care.

Aroma returns and is told about Trinket; she feels Skybright had been too hasty. Illnesses and preoccupations have prevented the poetry club from meeting several times, and in the twelfth month there is a fever of activity anticipating New Year. Jia Rong, Youshi and Cousin Zhen are busy concerning New Year medallions and receiving the bounty money for sacrifices from the Emperor. Jia Rong is sent to Xifeng to ensure that there are no event clashes between the two households this year. Greetings and a large number of good luck gifts arrive from a country bailiff to Cousin Zhen, mostly livestock and cereals and proceeds from sales. Cousin Zhen accuses him of holding out on them – expenses, particularly at Rongguo, have gone up a lot, and several farms have had disastrous years. Zhen and Rong joke about Xifeng and how hard-up Rongguo is – they’re still far from desperate. Things are divided between the houses and for ancestral sacrifices, and some shares given to young clansmen without income. Zhen tells off Jia Qin for coming to the distribution when he has an income. More presents arrive from the Prince of Beijing.

The houses get busier and busier in preparation, particularly in redecorating. On the last day of the year, the noble ladies process to the Palace before joining the young men going to the Hall of the Ancestors in Ningguo. Baoqin is impressed by the fine hall, where they carry out the lengthy sacrificial rite. After the ceremony, Youshi hosts everyone for tea. She invites them to stay for dinner, but they leave for Rongguo where Grandmother Jia hosts a reception and is kowtowed to by all. Gifts are then distributed to children and servants, and a feast starts. More offerings are given, firecrackers let off, and everyone in their finery enjoys themselves greatly. The ladies head back to the Palace in the early hours to felicitate Yuanchun; on return, Grandmother Jia retires. For several days, Xifeng and Lady Wang are kept busy entertaining many guests. Before long, it is time to prepare for the Lantern Festival as well, and a large family feast is organised with all clansmen in the city invited. Jia Jing and Jia She do not attend; Grandmother Jia watches the actors with her feet up, and being massaged by Amber. The decorations and furnishings are exquisite. Lin Zhixiao’s wife enters with many strings of cash, and pours the coins onto tables. A young actor adlibs based on what is going on in the hall. Everyone bursts out laughing, and money is put into baskets and tipped onto the stage for the boy as largesse from Grandmother Jia, Aunt Xue and Li Wan.