红楼梦Chapter18_小升初阅读_小升初-查字典英语网

红楼梦Chapter18

the fourteenth day arrived and everything was in order; but on this night， one and all whether high or low， did not get a wink of sleep; and when the fifteenth came， every one， at the fifth watch， beginning from dowager lady Chia and those who enjoyed any official status， appeared in full gala dress， according to their respective ranks. In the garden， the curtains were， by this time， flapping like dragons， the portieres flying about like phoenixes with variegated plumage. Gold and silver glistened with splendour. Pearls and precious gems shed out their brilliant lustre. The tripod censers burnt the Pai-ho incense. In the vases were placed everGREens. Silence and stillness prevailed， and not a man ventured so much as to cough.

Chia She and the other men were standing outside the door giving on to the street on the west; and old lady Chia and the other ladies were outside the main entrance of the Jung mansion at the head of the street， while at the mouth of the lane were placed screens to rigorously obstruct the public gaze. They were unable to bear the fatigue of any further waiting when， at an unexpected moment， a eunuch arrived on horseback， and Chia Cheng went up to meet him， and ascertained what tidings he was the bearer of.

Its as yet far too early， rejoined the eunuch， for at one oclock (her highness) will have her evening repast， and at two she has to betake herself to the Palace of Precious Perception to worship Buddha. At five， she will enter the Palace of GREat Splendour to partake of a banquet， and to see the lanterns， after which， she will request His Majestys permission; so that， Im afraid， it wont be earlier than seven before they set out.