The Dream of the Red Chamber

receives a reprimand - Chia Jui and Li Kuei rebuke the obs

family about the date on which they were to go to school. Indeed, Pao-yü was only too impatient that he and Ch'in Chung should come together, and, without loss o

ooks, pencils and all writing necessaries in perfect readiness, and was sitting on the edge of the bed in a moping

er," he said, "how is it you aren't again yourself? Is it likely that you bear me a gr

our books; and that you should think of home when not engaged in reading. Whatever you do, don't romp together with them, for were you to meet our master, your father, it will be no joke! Although it's asserted that a scholar must strain every nerve to excel, yet it's prefer

take it over; so mind, when it's cold in the school-room, please remember to put on this extra clothing, for it's not like home, where you have people to look after you. The foot-stove and hand-stove, I've also sent over; an

everything my own self. But you people shouldn't remain in this room, and mope yourselv

pressed him to go and wish good morning to dowager lady Chia

obeisance to dowager lady Chia. Her venerable Ladyship had likewise, as a matter of course, a few recommendations to make to him, which

in to pay his respects, and report that he was about to go to school, Chia Cheng gave a sardonic smile. "If you do again," he remarked, "make allusions to the words going to school, you'll make even me blush to death with s

ns stood up and smi

two or three years be able to display his abilities and establish his reputation. He will, beyond doubt, not behave like a ch

m, who were advanced in years, readily took Pao

able reply, "We, Sir!" given from outside; and three or four sturdy fellows ente

whole day long at school, but what books has he after all read? Books indeed! why, he has read and filled his brains with a lot of trashy words and nonsensical phrases, and learnt som

ed assenting utterances: "Oh, quite so, Sir! Our elder brother Mr. Pao has," he continued, "already read up to the third book of the Book of Odes, u

an imposition upon people and no more, as (when the thief) who, in order to steal the bell, stops up his own ears! You go and present my compliments to the gentleman in the schoolroom, and tell him, from my part, that the whole lot of Odes and old wr

ptitude, and perceiving that Chia Cheng had n

de in the court, waiting quietly with suppressed voice, and

our skins off! People's servants acquire some respectability from the master whom they serve, but we poor fellows fruitlessly wait upon you

dded, "don't feel aggrieved; I'll i

look forward to an invitation? all I entreat you is t

over once more to dowager

wo of them exchanged salutations, and took leave of her ladyship; but Pao-yü, suddenly remembering

yü mention that he was on his way to school, she smiled and remarked, "That's right! you're now going to sch

out from school, before you have your evening meal; wa

e at length tore himself a

called out to him and stopped him, "that you don

by way of reply he straightway walked

an any who had not the means to engage a tutor, they should readily be able to enter this class for the prosecution of their studies; that all those of the family who held official position should all give (the instit

up together, and sit together, till they became more intimate and close. Besides, dowager lady Chia got very fond of Ch'in Chung, and would again and again keep him to stay with them for three and five days at a time, treating him as if he were one of her own great-

rally developed a craving disposition. "We two, you and I, are," he was also wont secretly to tell Ch'in Chung, "of the same age, and fellow-scholars besides, so

sten to any such thing, but went on to address him as brother and to call him by his style Ch'ing

nd nephews of family connections. The proverb appositely describes that there are nine species of dragons, and that each species differs; and it goes of cours

her hand, how that Pao-yü was naturally proficient in abasing and demeaning himself, how he was so affable and good-natured, considerate in his temperament and so full of conversation, and how that these two were, in consequence, on such terms of intimate friendship, it was, in fact, no matter of surp

fictitiously gave out that he went to school, [he was as irregular in his attendance as the fisherman] who catches fish for three days, and suns his nets for the next two; simply presenting his school-fee gift to Chia Tai-jui and making not the least progress in his studies; his sole dream being to knit a

the pupils in the whole class, given two nicknames, to one that of "Hsiang Lin," "Fragrant Love," and to the other "Yü Ai," "Precious Affection." But although every one entertained feelings of secret admiration for them,

them lightly, or to be unseemly in their behaviour towards them. Hsiang Lin and Yü Ai both kept to themselves the same feelings, which they fostered for Ch'in Chung and Pao-yü, and to this reason is to be assigned the fact that though these four persons nurtured fond thoughts in their hearts there was however no visibl

everal sly lads discovered the real state of affairs, with the result that the whole school stealthily frowned their eyebrows at them, winked

meter line for an antithetical couplet, explaining that they should find a sentence to rhyme, and that the following day when he came back, he wo

o answer the roll, so that Ch'in Chung availed himself of his absence to ogle and smirk with Hs

nce was scarcely ended, when they heard a sound of coughing coming from behind. Both were taken much aback, and,

me and anger mutually impelling each other, he inquired of him, "What's

le language? Were you allowed to go on in this mysterious manner, what strange doings would you be up to? But I have sure enough found you out, so what's the need of still prevaricating? But

exasperated that their blood rushed up to their f

p his hands and to call out with a loud voice as he laughed: "They have moulded some nice well-baked cakes, wo

th hurried step they went in, in search of Chia Jui, to whom they reported Chin Ju

est, and to bring pressure upon his pupils with the intent that they should regale him. While subsequently he also lent his countenance to Hsüeh P'an, scheming to get some money or eatables out of him, he left him entirely fr

Jui as well was deprived of those who could lend him support, or stand by him; but he bore Hsüeh P'an no grudge, for wearying with old friends, as soon as he found new ones, but felt angry that Hsiang Lin and Yü Ai had not put in a word on his behalf with Hsüeh P'an. Chia Jui, Chin Jung and in fact the whole crowd of them were, for this reason, just harbouring a jealous grudge against these two, so that when he saw Ch'in Chung and Hsiang Lin come on this occasion and lodge a complain

vent to many more abusive epithets; but as it happened that they also reached Yü Ai's e

indulging in demonstrations of intimate friendship in the back court. These two had resolved to be one in close friendship, and were elo

, from the very first, umbrage to another person, and who

d he had, ever since his youth, lived with Chia Chen. He had at this time grown to be sixteen years of age, and was, as compared with Chia Jung, still more

rs; and this is how some mean person or other again, who it was is not known, insinuated slanderous and opprobrious reports (against Chia Se). Chia Chen had, presumably, also come to hear some unfavourable criticisms (on his account), and ha

owever as a mere blind; for he treated, as he had ever done, as legitimate occupations, such things as cock fighting, dog-racing and visiting places of easy virtue. And as

r the time, giving himself up to communing with his own heart. "Chin Jung, Chia Jui and the rest are," he pondered, "friends of uncle Hsüeh, but I too am on friendly terms with him, and he with me, and if I do come forward and they tell old Hsüeh, won't we imp

as far as the back, he, with low voice, called to his side Ming Yen, the page attending upon P

t a patient ear to what Chia Se had to say about the way Chin Jung had insulted Ch'in Chung. "Even your own master, Pao-yü,

r hearing the news and being furthermore instigated by Chia Se, he speedily rushed into the schoolroom and cried

observed and walking forthwith, first up to Chia Jui, he explained to him that he had something to attend to and would like to

we do, whether proper or improper," he said, "doesn't concern you! It's enough anyway that we d

hole class in such consternation that the

ed out Chia Jui, "you're

lave and a menial to venture to behave in this manner! I'll just simply speak to your master," he e

ch reached him from behind, he at once caught sight of a square inkslab come flying that way. Who

d, in spite of being young in years, have had an extremely strong mind, and that he would be mostly up to mischief without the least fear of any one. He watched with listless eye from his seat Chin Jung's friends stealthily assist Chin Jung, as they flung an inkslab to strike Ming Yen, but when, as luck would have it, it hit the wrong mark, and fell just in front of him, sma

ressing down the inkslab, while with all the words his mouth could express, he t

and weak of strength, he was unable to send it anywhere near the mark; so that it dropped instead when it got as far as the desk belonging to Pao-yü and Ch'in Chung, while a dreadful crash became audible as it fel

ng took hold of a long bamboo pole which was near by; but as the space was limited, and the pupils many, how could he very well bran

lly up to every mischief, so that with one voice, bawling boisterously, "You children of doubtful mothers, have you taken up arms?" Mo Yü p

nd the next moment he reasoned with another, but who would listen to his words?

ers there were who were not gifted with much pluck and hid themselves on one side; there were those t

inside, and one and all came in with all haste and united in their efforts to pacify them. Upon asking "What's the matter?" the whole bevy of voices shouted out differ

skin grazed off. Pao-yü was in the act of rubbing it for him, with the overlap of his coat, but re

rt to Mr. Chia Jui, Mr. Chia Jui instead (of helping us) threw the fault upon our shoulders. That while he heard people abuse us, he went so far as to instigate them to beat us; that Ming Yen seeing others insult us

: my idea is that wherever a thing takes place, there should it be settled; and what's the need of going and troubling an old man like him. This is all you, Mr. Chia Jui, who is to blame; for in the absence of Mr. Chia Tai-ju, you, sir, are the head in this school, and ever

ed Chia Jui, "but not o

e attached to your name; that's why all these young men wouldn't hear you! Now if this affair is bruited, until it reaches Mr. Chia Tai-ju's ears, why even you, sir

ed Pao-yü; "I shall certai

nterposed Ch'in Chung sobbin

my bounden duty to tell every one everything at home so as to expel Chin Jung. This Chin Jung," he wen

to raise this question; for were you to go and report the matter to the branch of the family t

ident fellow he must be to even come and bully us; Mrs. Huang is his paternal aunt! That mother of yours is only good for tossing abou

of a dog happen to know of the existence of all t

ative he was," he remarked; "is he really sister-in-law

ster," he went on to suggest, in an exultant manner, "there's no need for you to go yourself to see her; I'll go to her house and tell her that our old lady has something t

m that it's you, and only you, who instigated Mr. Pao-yü! I've succeeded, after ever so much trouble, in coaxing them, and mending matters to a certain extent, and now you come again to continue a new plan

mpelled him to pocket his grievances and to come and entreat Ch'in Chung as well as to make apologies to Pao-yü. These two young fellows would not at first listen to his advances, but Pao-yü at length explained that he would not go and re

n rise to the disturbance, and if you don't act in this manner, how will the matter ever be brought to an end?" s

Jui, whose sole aim was to temporarily smother the affair, quietly again urged Chin Jung, adding that the pr

to his advice is not known, but