The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 153 The High-Ranking Official's Fame Spreads Throughout the Jia Family

On a late autumn night, by the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion, bamboo shadows swayed and the fragrance of osmanthus wafted in the air.

The moon's reflection in the pond shattered and then reformed, illuminating the brightly lit pavilion where laughter could be faintly heard.

As the women were chatting and laughing, they suddenly saw Baoyu walking over in a hurry. He was slightly sweaty on his forehead and had a big smile on his face. Because he had walked so fast, he was still a little out of breath.

His eyes had already swept over everyone like shooting stars, and finally landed on Daiyu, whereupon they remained fixed.

Lin Daiyu, who was leaning against the railing gazing at the moon, heard footsteps. Her brows furrowed slightly, her starry eyes held a hint of reproach, and without looking at him, she murmured softly towards the water:

“Who is it? This place is so peaceful, it’s where we sisters gather to have some fun. What are you, a man, doing here instead of going out and socializing? You’re just disturbing our peace and ruining the moonlight.”

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu was not annoyed, but instead approached with a smile.

Daiyu covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief: "Stop! Don't come near me, I can't stand his smell, it will only make me cough."

Baoyu had no choice but to stop and bow from afar, saying, "Good sister, don't be angry. I was outside just now and heard laughter and chatter over here. They said they were appreciating the moon and composing poems. How could I miss such an elegant event?"

"Then I begged the old lady to let me in. Good sister, please allow me to listen in for a moment and learn from your talents, is that alright? I promise I won't make a fuss."

Baochai picked up the warm tea beside her and gently skimmed off the foam with the lid, her movements as elegant as a painting.

Her eyes darted around, first landing on Baoyu, who was distracted and whose gaze was still lingering on Qin Keqing's white figure, then glancing at Lin Daiyu, whose face remained cold and frosty, before she spoke slowly and deliberately, her voice melodious and gentle, like jade beads rolling into a silver plate:
"Brother Bao, when I came over just now, I saw a rather serious scene in the front hall." She paused and then smiled.
"My aunt's husband is sitting with my aunt's husband. The two gentlemen are holding tea, their faces solemn, and they are talking about important national affairs concerning salt administration, river works, and the imperial court's expenses! That is the kind of 'proper article' that real men should listen to, discuss, and carefully consider!"

As she spoke, her smile deepened, but her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Baoyu's timid expression, which trembled at the mere mention of "father."

"Everyone knows that our aunt and uncle are most annoyed by those 'flower-viewing and willow-viewing' and 'wind-and-moon-playing' activities. They especially hate it when people compose poems and couplets when they have nothing to do, saying that it is a waste of time and a change of temperament."

“Brother Bao, why don’t you go and serve them tea and water, and set some rules? Even if you just listen from behind the screen and learn some practical and useful ‘truths’ for making a living, wouldn’t that be better than hanging out in this brothel, attracting gossip, and wasting the old men’s hopes for their sons to succeed?”

Upon hearing words like "father," "serious writing," and "matters of national importance," Jia Baoyu felt as if he'd been stung on the butt, his whole body becoming extremely uncomfortable. The slight infatuation he had felt for Qin Keqing just moments before was instantly replaced by immense disgust.

His brows furrowed, his handsome face fell, as if he had truly smelled something unbearable. He subconsciously fanned his nose with his hand, muttering something soft but loud enough for those nearby to hear:
"Oh dear! Good sister, please don't mention those things! What 'major national affairs'? It sounds like an old, smelly, and long-winded foot-binding cloth, and it smells like the musty stench of old files accumulated in the government office, making your head throb with pain! It's sour and rotten even in your bones!"

"I'd rather listen to my sisters laughing and chatting here, and smell this sweet, delicate fragrance of women. Even if I get scolded by Lin Daiyu, it's a hundred times better than listening to that nonsense!"

Lin Daiyu was already troubled by Baochai's mention of her father, and seeing Baoyu's listless appearance and his talk of "daughter's fragrance," sorrow, resentment, worry, and annoyance all welled up in her heart.

She abruptly turned her face, a chilling glint in her eyes that pierced straight at Baoyu:

"Ha! Very well! I suppose you dare not dislike your father's words, so you must be talking about my father. Since you get a headache just listening to my father's serious words and feel nauseous just smelling them, as if you've seen a flood or a ferocious beast... then why do you always gravitate towards me, your 'daughter', for no reason?"

She deliberately emphasized the word "daughter": "Am I not even slightly tainted by my father's 'sour and rotten' air?"

"You find my father's words utterly repulsive, long-winded, and nauseatingly so, giving you a headache and making you want to vomit... You absolutely loathe what he says!"

She paused deliberately, her slender fingers seemingly unintentionally brushing against her clothes, a movement carrying a cold, self-reinforcing meaning:

“I, Lin Daiyu, am his own flesh and blood, the daughter he taught me word by word! My tone, my pronunciation, even the breath I exhale, which of these is not inherited from him? Since you dislike his words as if they were from snakes and scorpions, and you dislike his ‘sour and rotten’ manner… then you should also dislike my words! Between you and me, even our ‘attitudes’ are incompatible!”

Before she could finish speaking, she had already stood up abruptly!
"I advise you to get even further away from me as soon as possible!" Her voice suddenly rose, and she extended a slender, onion-like finger, pointing it at Baoyu as if drawing a line between them:
"I don't want my 'sour and rotten smell' that I'm born with to soil your precious nose, Master Bao! If it ruins your nose, it will be my fault!"

After she finished speaking, she gave Baoyu no chance to react, resolutely turning around, her skirt catching a gust of cold wind carrying a faint scent of medicine and raw cloth. She went straight to a corner farthest from Baoyu, where the light was dim, leaving only the cold moonlight.

Jia Baoyu was choked by Daiyu's barrage of questions, especially those that were full of sarcasm and drew a clear line between them, leaving him speechless and blushing.

He felt a surge of heat rush from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He wanted to explain, but his throat felt like it was stuffed with hot cotton, and he couldn't utter a single word.

His eyes darted nervously across Daiyu's face, which was cold as ice yet made her even more beautiful. He didn't know what to do with his hands and feet. The tender feelings he had just had for Keqing had been completely extinguished by this cold water. He stood frozen in place, at a loss, so anxious that tears were about to come out.

Shi Xiangyun was squatting by the water playing when she heard the sound. She stood up, shook the water droplets off her hands, and quickly tried to smooth things over:
"Alright, alright! The moon is so bright and clear, like a silver plate. We've gathered here so eagerly. If we just sit here arguing or spacing out, wouldn't we be wasting the essence of this world?"

"To appreciate the moon without poetry is like to admire beautiful flowers without wine—it loses its true charm! Have we forgotten why we came here? Composing couplets is the real deal! Let's put everything else aside for now!"

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the stiff-standing Baoyu and the icy-cold Daiyu, before turning to the crowd.

She was naturally open-minded and unconcerned with trivial matters. Now, in high spirits, she looked around at everyone and said, "In my opinion, there needs to be someone to judge the merits of these joint poems or the poems presented. We have many talented women here, but we need someone who is extremely fair, insightful, and can command respect to lead this poetry scene!"

All the sisters nodded in agreement.

Before the words were even finished, Tan Chun chimed in with a smile. She was usually shrewd and efficient, always mindful of the bigger picture, and now her organizational skills shone through: "Yun'er is absolutely right! When it comes to fairness, insight, virtue, appearance, speech, and skill, and being well-versed in poetry and literature, no one else but you, sister-in-law, could compare!"

Her voice was clear and articulate. "My sister-in-law comes from a prominent family in Jinling. Her father was the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. It's a family of scholars and officials, a family of poets and gentlemen. She was renowned for her talent even in her youth, and she is always dignified and composed. It would be most appropriate for her to lead the poetry judging! Don't you all agree?"

Xichun sat quietly to the side and nodded gently upon hearing this: "Third sister is right." Yingchun also echoed obediently: "Very true, we are convinced by eldest sister-in-law's evaluation of the poem."

Qin Keqing had been sitting quietly in the dimly lit area. Seeing everyone nominating Li Wan, she slightly raised her head, her face, made even more stunning by the backdrop of mourning clothes, turning towards Li Wan. Her voice was as soft as a sigh:
“Everyone is absolutely right. Aunt Zhu’s virtue and learning, her role in judging poetry, is the most fair and impartial, and it is in accordance with the proper conduct of a great scholar of poetry.” After she finished speaking, she lowered her eyes slightly, and her plain white figure appeared even more lonely in the moonlight.

Wang Xifeng had been whispering something to Ping'er in the dappled shadows of the trees a little further away. Hearing the commotion, she waved her fan and walked over with a smile.

Even in the moonlight, her gorgeous dress shone brightly. Before she could speak, the waves of the millstone stirred: "Oh my! How lively! Third Sister has a good eye! Logically speaking, shouldn't we invite Sister-in-law Zhu as the 'host' of our poetry circle?"

She walked over to Li Wan and patted her arm affectionately: "Sister-in-law, you are a proper lady of the Duke's mansion, and also the most virtuous, beautiful, eloquent, and accomplished woman in our household!"

"Father Li is a respected teacher to all scholars in the land, and our family has a long and distinguished academic tradition! If you don't step forward, who will? Don't refuse anymore, this job is perfect for you! If you do well, I'll prepare a feast to thank you tomorrow!"

Her words were half-joking and half-serious, both flattering Li Wan and displaying the efficient manner of a matriarch assigning tasks.

Li Wan sat on an embroidered stool in the lamplight a little further away, dressed in simple elegance.

Hearing everyone nominate her to critique the poems, her face flushed with a smile, and a hint of mature feminine charm, suppressed beneath her simple attire, subtly shone through her eyes. Her voice was gentle, with a touch of languid mellowness:

"That sharp tongue of yours, Feng, always uses me as a scapegoat. My father always said, 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent,' so I haven't read much either. What 'virtue, appearance, speech, and skill'? It's just about getting by, and I'm a bit more lifeless than you." Despite saying this, her eyes and brows relaxed, and she became even more radiant.

“I am only a few years older and know a few more words than you. How can I be worthy of such words as ‘talent’? Since you have all been so kind as to give me this opportunity, I will do my best.”

Her voice was gentle and calm, like a spring breeze caressing the willows. Her gaze swept over the colorful faces in the room as she continued, "Since today's theme is moon appreciation, we will naturally focus on the moon. However, throughout history, eight or nine out of ten poems about the moon inevitably involve the words 'longing'."

"Those separated from their loved ones gaze at the moon, travelers yearn for their hometowns, and women in their boudoirs long for their distant loved ones—all these emotions arise from the moon. However, the moon's clear light shines universally, also enhancing one's refined taste and inspiring contemplation." "Therefore, today we need not confine ourselves to the theme of 'clear breeze and bright moon.' Any sentiment related to longing, whether romantic love, familial affection, or the joys and sorrows of separation and reunion, whether inspired by a scene or expressing aspirations through objects, as long as it is fresh and elegant, it is considered a superior work. Everyone is welcome to open their hearts and display their talents."

Li Wan's words were both proper and enlightened, highlighting the traditional imagery of the moon while leaving ample room for interpretation. In particular, the phrase "open your heart and mind" demonstrated her magnanimity and inclusiveness, which won everyone's sincere admiration.

She paused for a moment and then said, "Since Yun'er has taken the initiative, let her start with a line. Let's use 'moon' and 'longing' as the themes, and everyone can create their own lines as they please."

Shi Xiangyun was overjoyed, her spirits soaring. She put her hands on her hips, looked up at the moon, and said loudly, "Good! If you, sister-in-law, are in charge, I'll just offer my humble opinion as a starting point!"

Unable to get a word in edgewise, Baoyu gazed longingly at Daiyu and stole glances at Baochai, wishing he could immediately pick up his brush.

With Li Wan's approval and the moonlight as clear as water, casting its gentle glow across the ground, Shi Xiangyun could no longer suppress her poetic inspiration and lofty sentiments.

She walked a few steps to the waterside railing, put her hands on her hips, looked up at the bright moon, and then looked down at its reflection shimmering in the pond. Just then, a water bird in the distance was startled by the laughter and took flight with a flapping of its wings.

This scene touched Xiangyun. Her eyes lit up, and she blurted out, her voice clear and resonant, filled with the excitement of discovering a beautiful line:
"A crane's shadow crosses the cold pond!"

The phrase "cold pond" highlights the serene and secluded environment, while the word "crossing" is vivid and expressive, as if the crane's shadow were coming and going on the water and moonlight. In just five words, the imagery is extremely vivid, and this artistic conception is quite different from Xiangyun's usual bold and unrestrained style.

Lin Daiyu, who had been sitting alone in the shadows, coldly gazing at the water, her heart still heavy with worry for her father, suddenly heard Xiangyun's line, "A crane's shadow crosses the cold pond," and the moonlight shone on her pale face. Without hesitation, she replied, "The cold moon buries the flower's soul!"

This line, though beautiful, was too melancholic and somewhat incongruous with the longing for love while appreciating the moon. Everyone was deeply shaken and a chill ran through them.

Although Wang Xifeng was not versed in poetry and was often ridiculed for not being able to read, she still understood the ominous meaning of the three words "burying the soul of flowers".

Her smile froze for a moment, then she covered her mouth with her fan, glancing at Li Wan and Baochai, thinking to herself, "This Lin girl, she's just enjoying the moon, and she has to say such discouraging things!"

Li Wan was completely captivated by the imagery and talent of these two lines of poetry; she knew from the first line that it was a masterpiece!

However, the phrase "such a full moon" carries a great deal of unease and taboo, making it all the more poignant and strange.

Seeing everyone frowning, Qin Keqing quickly spoke gently from the side, "Excellent poem, excellent poem! Truly novel and wonderful! The line 'A crane's shadow crosses the cold pond' is already unexpected and incredibly unique! 'The cold moon buries the flower's soul'..." She paused, seemingly choosing her words carefully, "...and it's even more applauded! But..."

She chuckled softly, “...This sentiment may have brought some sorrow to me as a widow. Although the moonlight is beautiful tonight, it is not appropriate to be too melancholy. This line is already a masterpiece. I am almost in tears. Everyone, you don’t need to take care of me. Why don’t we change to another couplet?”

In just a few words, she took the sorrow that the sentence brought upon her own life.

Seeing that the atmosphere had turned icy due to Daiyu's overly poignant words about "burying the flower's soul," Xue Baochai tried to smooth things over, but a chilling atmosphere still lingered in everyone's hearts.

Her almond-shaped eyes took in everyone's absent-minded expressions—Li Wan's fingers, which were holding Buddhist prayer beads, were stiff; Feng Jie was fanning herself with her fan frantically and haphazardly; and Bao Yu, that silly boy, had his eyes glued to Dai Yu, with tears streaming down his face like a broken string.

Her mind raced, and the vengeful figure that had been weighing on her heart could no longer be suppressed; it emerged, as if possessed, with a gentle and graceful smile and a clear, melodious voice, instantly attracting everyone's attention:
"My sisters are all quick-witted, and the profound meaning of your couplets just now is truly admirable. However, the moonlight shines brightly on the world, and it should also bring some warmth."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, lingering briefly on the sorrowful Daiyu and the distraught Baoyu, before turning to Li Wan. “It’s quite a coincidence,” she said, “a few days ago, my brother returned from Qinghe County with some fresh poems. They were written by the benefactor who saved my life in Qinghe County. When I took a look, I found them to be interesting and full of great poetic talent.”

"I noticed two of these poems. Although they are not the work of giants like Li Bai, Du Fu, Su Shi, and Xin Qiji, they are sincere and heartfelt, focusing on the sorrow of parting and the deep longing for loved ones. They are quite fitting for our mood of appreciating the moon and remembering our loved ones today. Why don't I present them to everyone for their comments, just to offer a starting point and change our perspective?"

Everyone felt the atmosphere was dull, but when Baochai said she had a fresh poem on the theme of "longing," they all perked up. Li Wan quickly said, "Baocha, quickly recite it for us. We need some new ideas to warm things up."

Baochai nodded with a smile, her voice carrying a touch of the soft, melodious Wu dialect, and began to recite the first verse:
"Who feels the chill of the west wind alone? Rustling yellow leaves close the sparse window, I stand in the setting sun, lost in thought about the past."

The moment this sentence is uttered, a profound sense of loneliness and the desolate atmosphere of autumn permeates the scene.

The west wind howls, yellow leaves fall, and a lonely person closes the window, reminiscing about the past in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Though melancholic, it is a quiet, restrained sorrow that everyone can feel. It is mixed with the decaying smell of old wooden window frames and the desolate glow of the setting sun like blood.

Although it is sorrowful, it is a sorrow born of the trials and tribulations of life, imbued with the warmth of everyday existence. Compared to the bleakness of "The Soul of Burying Flowers," it is quite different and truly endearing.

Before anyone could recover from the bleak atmosphere, Baochai immediately launched into another poem, its melody suddenly shifting to a soft, melodious tune, carrying the warm fragrance of a cozy chamber:
"Serving medicine quietly with warm pear soup, gently massaging and smelling the fragrance of a young girl, at the time I thought it was just an ordinary thing."

This last poem, especially the last three lines, was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves in the hearts of all the young ladies!

"Serving medicine quietly, warming the pear soup": a meticulously crafted scene of daily life, a vivid picture of intimacy within the inner chambers!

When a wife or lover is ill in bed, the husband or lover brews a lung-soothing pear soup. Holding the warm, sweet white porcelain bowl in his fingers, he gently breathes on it, afraid of scalding his beloved. He carefully and tenderly serves the soup, gently blowing on it to cool the warm bowl of pear soup.

That unspoken understanding, more powerful than words, instantly touched the softest and most secret corner of the hearts of all the daughters present!
That tender gesture, that anticipation before physical intimacy, sent shivers down the spines of all the unmarried girls present!
"Gently massaging and smelling the fragrance of a daughter": This is truly groundbreaking! It transcends ordinary care and is an intimate and loving touch between skin and skin!
During a massage, I inadvertently caught a whiff of my lover's unique, feminine fragrance emanating from her hair, the back of her neck, her collar, her temples, and the warm crook of her neck—

Whether it's a crisp or sweet fragrance, it subtly wafts into a man's nostrils... Skin to skin, ear to ear!

How intimate and enchanting these details are! They vividly depict the intimate and tender feelings of lovers, who are immersed in each other's breath, yet they are subtle and not lewd, only conveying a deep and lingering affection.

The intimacy and affection, the intoxication and craving, were written both explicitly and subtly, arousing the young girls, widows, and widows present, making their hearts burn with desire and their bodies go numb. In unison, they rubbed their legs together and changed positions!

"At the time, it seemed so ordinary": This last line is like the finishing touch on a painting, or the sound of a morning bell! It fully expresses the deepest and most painful realization of human emotions—those seemingly mundane daily moments of warmth that we once possessed, only to realize after their loss that they were the most precious and irreplaceable happiness in our lives! The immense sense of loss and profound regret are contained within these seven words, powerfully conveying the meaning of the words!
Like a bucket of snow water poured over one's head, or a sigh that pierces the heart! Those "ordinary" days of whispering sweet nothings and embracing each other with warmth and tenderness, the care between the pillows, the warmth in the blankets, the tenderness at the fingertips—once they vanish like smoke, one realizes that they were blessings that could not be obtained even if one burned incense!

Regret! Hatred! Pain! All these emotions are contained in these seven words, each one drawing blood and causing a tightness in one's chest!

The moment this poem was recited, everyone in the room was astonished! Time seemed to freeze for a moment, followed by an uncontrollable commotion and shock!
They whispered and chattered, their faces flushed and their hearts pounding, restless and uneasy, as if a ladle of cold water had been poured into a pot of boiling oil!
Which young woman in love doesn't long for a loving and caring man?

Which sheltered young lady wouldn't crave such sweet and affectionate treatment?

This poem doesn't pile up fancy words or dangle any mysterious or obscure phrases. Instead, it uses the realities of life—the things happening around the stove, the medicine pot, and the bed—to expose the burning secrets hidden beneath the silks and satins of these young ladies!
The tender caresses of "serving medicine and gently warming the pear soup," the intimate touches of "massaging and gently smelling the fragrance of a daughter"... these are vivid images of the "ideal husband" and "loving partner" that they secretly imagined a thousand times while biting the corner of their blankets and tossing and turning at night!

As for the line "At the time, it seemed so ordinary," it's more like a sigh tinged with blood! It's not just mourning the lost love, but more like a rusty, dull knife slowly cutting into flesh—

The tender, intimate, and everyday moments right now might one day become a mirage, something unattainable and unseen forever! A bittersweet, panicked, and fearful feeling suddenly surged from my heart to the top of my head!
The deathly silence was immediately broken, followed by a burst of cheers that seemed to explode!

The voices were a mix of sobs, distorted tones, banging on tables and benches, and so embarrassed that they covered their faces with handkerchiefs... A cacophony of voices, yet all were heartfelt cheers and exclamations of praise!
The widow, Li Wan, was the first to be moved. Her hand, which was holding Buddhist prayer beads, stopped, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

These lonely days of widowhood, enduring them alone day and night, are a bitter experience known only to herself! She used to resent him for being a bookworm, a block of wood, lacking any sense of romance, and for keeping the bed so cold.

But now, listening to the descriptions of "serving medicine," "massage," and "fragrance"... all those intimate and intimate things she had never experienced and dared not even think about, and then savoring the phrase "at the time, it seemed so ordinary"!
If she had known she would end up living a miserable life as a widow, even if he had been a wooden doll who only knew how to hold onto his books, she would have been willing to live that "ordinary" life until old age!
A sour and bitter feeling rushed to her throat. She had never experienced any of these things before becoming a widow.

Thinking of this, she forgot her manners and slapped her thigh in a trembling voice, filled with deep resonance:
"Excellent! What a beautiful line, 'At the time, it seemed so ordinary'! This line... this line perfectly captures the deepest emotions and pains of humanity! It reveals true meaning in its simplicity and profound affection in its subtle details! Bao'er, this poem... is superb!"

(End of this chapter)