Hung Lou Meng - book 2 | Page 8

wife was, at this time, also with them, so they all
came in a body to see him. Pao-yü behaved more and more as if
determined to clutch a sword or seize a spear to put an end to his
existence. He raged in a manner sufficient to subvert the heavens and
upset the earth.

As soon as dowager lady Chia and Madame Wang caught sight of him,
they were struck with terror. They trembled wildly like a piece of
clothing that is being shaken. Uttering a shout of: "My son," and
another of: "My flesh," they burst out into a loud fit of crying. Presently,
all the inmates were seized with fright. Even Chia She, Madame Hsing,
Chia Cheng, Chia Chen, Chia Lien, Chia Jung, Chia Yün, Chia P'ing,
Mrs. Hsüeh, Hsüeh P'an, Chou Jui's wife, and the various members of
the household, whether high or low, and the servant-girls and married
women too, rushed into the garden to see what was up.
The confusion that prevailed was, at the moment, like entangled flax.
Every one was at a loss what to do, when they espied lady Feng dash
into the garden, a glistening sword in hand, and try to cut down
everything that came in her way, ogle vacantly whomsoever struck her
gaze, and make forthwith an attempt to despatch them. A greater panic
than ever broke out among the whole assemblage. But placing herself
at the head of a handful of sturdy female servants, Chou Jui's wife
precipitated herself forward, and clasping her tight, they succeeded in
snatching the sword from her grip, and carrying her back into her room.
P'ing Erh, Feng Erh, and the other girls began to weep. They invoked
the heavens and appealed to the earth. Even Chia Cheng was distressed
at heart. One and all at this stage started shouting, some, one thing;
some, another. Some suggested exorcists. Some cried out for the
posture-makers to attract the devils. Others recommended that Chang,
the Taoist priest, of the Yü Huang temple, should catch the evil spirits.
A thorough turmoil reigned supreme for a long time. The gods were
implored. Prayers were offered. Every kind of remedy was tried, but no
benefit whatever became visible.
After sunset, the spouse of Wang Tzu-t'eng said good-bye and took her
departure. On the ensuing day, Wang Tzu-t'eng himself also came to
make inquiries. Following closely upon him, arrived, in a body,
messengers from the young marquis Shih, Madame Hsing's young
brother, and their various relatives to ascertain for themselves how
(lady Feng and Pao-yü) were progressing. Some brought charm-water.
Some recommended bonzes and Taoist priests. Others spoke highly of

doctors. But that young fellow and his elder brother's wife fell into such
greater and greater stupor that they lost all consciousness. Their bodies
were hot like fire. As they lay prostrate on their beds, they talked
deliriously. With the fall of the shades of night their condition
aggravated. So much so, that the matrons and servant-girls did not
venture to volunteer their attendance. They had, therefore, to be both
moved into Madame Wang's quarters, where servants were told off to
take their turn and watch them.
Dowager lady Chia, Madame Wang, Madame Hsing and Mrs. Hsüeh
did not budge an inch or a step from their side. They sat round them,
and did nothing but cry. Chia She and Chia Cheng too were a prey, at
this juncture, to misgivings lest weeping should upset dowager lady
Chia. Day and night oil was burnt and fires were, mindless of expense,
kept alight. The bustle and confusion was such that no one, either
master or servant, got any rest.
Chia She also sped on every side in search of Buddhist and Taoist
priests. But Chia Cheng had witnessed how little relief these things
could afford, and he felt constrained to dissuade Chia She from his
endeavours. "The destiny," he argued, "of our son and daughter is
entirely dependent upon the will of Heaven, and no human strength can
prevail. The malady of these two persons would not be healed, even
were every kind of treatment tried, and as I feel confident that it is the
design of heaven that things should be as they are, all we can do is to
allow it to carry out its purpose."
Chia She, however, paid no notice to his remonstrances and continued
as hitherto to fuss in every imaginable way. In no time three days
elapsed. Lady Feng and Pao-yü were still confined to their beds. Their
very breaths had grown fainter. The whole household, therefore,
unanimously arrived at the conclusion that there was no hope, and with
all despatch they made every necessary preparation for the subsequent
requirements of both their relatives.
Dowager lady Chia, Madame Wang, Chia Lien, P'ing Erh, Hsi Jen