Chapter 68

苦尤娘赚入大观园

酸凤姐大闹宁国府 

Lian is away on extended business again; when he leaves, Xifeng executes her plan. She has a building converted to be like their apartment, and announces her departure with four companions to a temple. They go to Erjie’s instead, dressed in mourning as Mrs You had also died. Erjie and the Mattress are startled. They curtsey to each other graciously, before Xifeng explains her situation and invites Erjie to live with her in Rongguo to stop malicious tittle-tattle and get one over on Lian. They weep together and Xifeng gives her presents as first and second wife – she has gained Erjie’s sympathy, and she pours her heart out in return. Xifeng and her companions help Erjie to prepare to move, although she suggests that Erjie move into the Garden at first, as the senior household members are very strait-laced and don’t know about the marriage, particularly as it was carried out during a period of mourning. She takes her to Li Wan’s, where the Garden residents gather and are sworn to secrecy. Erjie is reassured, although her maid Mercy 善姐 – given to her by Xifeng – is short with her about bothering Xifeng and careless about serving her meals. Nevertheless, Erjie is impressed by Xifeng’s apparent concern and forbearance, and covers up for Mercy in order to show appropriate forbearance herself.

Brightie is busy making inquiries into Erjie’s background and previous engagement to Zhang Hua. Xifeng offers him twenty taels to bring a written indictment against Lian. He refuses at first, and then Xifeng decides to have Brightie named in the indictment as agent of the accused. This is less risky, so Zhang agrees; before long, blackcoats come to Rongguo to arrest a willing Brightie. In the tribunal, Brightie forces Zhang to name Jia Rong, whom the Censor is then unwillingly forced to summon. Xifeng hears from this from a page, and sends someone to persuade the Censor to give Rong a scare without any damning judgement and talk to the President of the Court of Censors; the Censor takes the bribe. When Rong is summoned, Cousin Zhen also sends a bribe to the Censor and domestics to answer the summons. Xifeng goes to see him and Rong; Zhen hides and she spits at Youshi, blaming her for the illegal marriage and subsequent suing, before rounding on Rong. He entreats her not to be angry and slaps himself repeatedly while Xifeng makes a fine display of histrionic grief on Youshi’s breast. She tells them a false version of events, including how well Erjie is being treated in Rongguo, and that she was prepared to let bygones be bygones, until she found out about the previous engagement which has been such a mess. It is all very emotional, with all weeping and abusing themselves and each other. She concludes by calmly asking Youshi to ask Zhen to settle out of court, and they discuss paying Zhang off or giving him Erjie back. They then discuss how to handle it internally; Youshi refuses to explain to Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia herself, so Xifeng decides to spin a yarn to them about taking a fancy to Erjie and taking her on as her number two. Settled, they eat before Xifeng leaves. She goes to the Garden to explain developments to Erjie.