Chapters 1-120

A monk and a Daoist pick up a magic stone. Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai move in with their aristocratic relatives the Jias and become friends with their young cousin Jia Baoyu, famed for his precious jade, despite getting off to a rocky start. In a dream, Baoyu is shown the register of their destinies. One of his school friends and his friend’s sister die.

A new garden is built in honour of Baoyu’s sister Yuanchun, an Imperial concubine, and she orders that Baoyu, Baochai, Daiyu and their other cousins move in. The three become closer, attending parties, drinking and quarrelling. Baoyu and Daiyu develop a particularly tense and emotional relationship. Baoyu is soundly beaten by his father after a maid kills herself. Cousin Tanchun proposes a poetry club; the cousins hold successive poetry competitions and parties, in addition to the extravagant formal household celebrations.

Among the senior family members, Wang Xifeng and her husband Jia Lian have a violent domestic after he is caught in flagrante with a servant’s wife. After Xifeng has a miscarriage, Tanchun takes on running the household. Lian goes on to arrange a secret second wedding. Xifeng discovers this, and drives the second wife to suicide. Xifeng becomes increasingly concerned about the household finances.

Some more cousins and maids move into the Garden, which slowly becomes chaotic as maids fight and the cousins’ parties become more raucous. There are raids after a servants’ gambling ring is discovered and illicit objects are found, leading to the dismissal of some maids. The parties gradually become depleted and melancholy. Cousin Yingchun is married off, and Baochai’s brother Xue Pan marries a violent, manipulative woman.

Baoyu becomes depressed, and the senior household members decide to marry him to Baochai. Daiyu hears about this and is overwhelmed with grief, refusing to eat. When Baoyu’s precious jade disappears and he becomes imbecilic, the wedding is expedited, and Baoyu is tricked into thinking he is marrying Daiyu. Daiyu dies while the ceremony is underway, and Baoyu is devastated by her death and the deception. The garden is left abandoned and desolate, and is exorcised after spirits are sighted.

Xue Pan is sentenced to death for murder, and his wife accidentally kills herself trying to poison his maid. Baoyu’s father is impeached for corruption, and after various misdemeanours the household is raided by the secret police, leading to arrests, exiles and property confiscation. The confiscation and years of mismanagement leave the family penniless. Their reputation is ruined, although they do maintain some Imperial favour.

Baoyu and Baochai grow closer. Key household members die, Tanchun is married off and cousin Xichun becomes a nun. While the family is away at a funeral, the household is robbed. Baoyu relapses, only recovering when a monk brings his jade back. He has undergone a profound inner change after another spiritual departure, however, and although he studies hard and passes the civil service examinations, he disappears soon after, wandering off with the monk and Daoist.

Chapters 81-120

Baoyu is depressed, and is re-enrolled at school, where he is criticised. Daiyu is ill after a vivid and distressing dream about him; he suffers similar pain at the same time.  The senior women are invited to visit Yuanchun, and have an emotional reunion. Later, they discuss finding a bride for Baoyu; Xifeng suggests Baochai. Zheng is promoted and Baoyu finds out that he is engaged. News arrives that Pan has been arrested for murder after hitting a waiter with a wine cup. He is found guilty after no bribe is sent. There is further tension amongst the staff, and Xifeng is spooked after a maid reports seeing a ghost.

Daiyu broods about Baoyu. She is overwhelmed with grief after overhearing maids talking about Baoyu’s engagement and refuses to eat. She improves after realising she could be his betrothed, but Lady Jia orders the marriage to be kept secret from her. Baoyu discusses Baochai with her, and is rebuked by Aroma. Jingui and her maid try to seduce Pan’s brother Xue Ke, and are disappointed by his lack of interest. Further bribes are needed for Pan’s trial; the stress makes Baochai ill.

Baoyu’s jade disappears, leading to panic and a large search. He becomes increasingly imbecilic and is moved in with Lady Jia. Yuanchun and Lady Wang’s brother both die. Baoyu’s illness and Zheng’s imminent departure lead the household to expedite the wedding and deceive Baoyu into believing that he is to marry Daiyu. Daiyu learns the truth from a maid and is horrified, becoming weak. The wedding goes ahead; Baoyu is shocked to find he has married Baochai and relapses; Daiyu dies during the ceremony. Baoyu is distraught, but gradually recovers.

Zheng’s new staff soon corrupt him. He accepts a proposal for Tanchun, and Pan is sentenced to death. Zheng finds himself impeached, his reputation ruined; at the Palace he is warned to be stricter with his family. Meanwhile, the Garden is abandoned and desolate, and an exorcism is carried out after sightings of spirits lead to illnesses. Jingui poisons herself trying to kill Caltrop.

The household is raided by the secret police. Family members are arrested and exiled, property confiscated and the family left penniless and disgraced. Zheng is shocked by the extent of mismanagement and Xifeng is depressed, believing herself blamed. They try to make austerities.

Xiangyun visits after being married. Baoyu is distraught after hearing weeping at Daiyu’s old house, but in trying to connect with her spirit is drawn closer to Baochai. Yingchun dies, followed soon by Lady Jia. With funeral funds restricted, Xifeng exhausts herself. Faithful hangs herself, and the household is robbed while senior members are away at the funeral. One of the burglars returns and kidnaps Adamantina. Xifeng soon dies. Baoyu is sorely disappointed when he meets his double. He relapses, and only recovers when a monk arrives with his jade, although his spirit briefly leaves his body for the spiritual realm. He starts to study hard for the civil service exams, although he has internally renounced worldly success. With Lian and Zheng away, the household descends into drinking and gambling, and Qiaojie is nearly sold to a Mongolian prince, saved by a plan by Grannie Liu. Baoyu passes the exams, but disappears afterwards with a monk and a Daoist. Understanding his destiny, Zheng tells the family not to grieve.

Chapter 120 - supercondensed

Zheng is visited by Baoyu as a monk, who disappears. Zheng understands destiny, and advises the family not to grieve. Pan is freed, and a match is arranged for the inconsolable Aroma to Jiang Yuhan, who gradually wins her over. Jia Yucun discusses Baoyu, the stone and destiny with Zhen Shiyin at the old temple. Later, a Daoist copies the stone’s story; after Yucun reads it, Cao Xueqin publishes it.

Chapter 120

甄士隐详说太虚情

贾雨村归结红楼梦

Aroma has had a seizure; the doctor prescribes some medicine for her. Seeing the monk in a vision before her, she realises what has happened to Baoyu. Recalling him, she is upset to think of the dilemma of her position in the household without him.

Zheng, having received news from Rongguo, is pressing home. Moored at Piling in the snow, he sees a monk appear in his doorframe and recognises him as Baoyu; the monk kowtows and is taken away by another monk and a Daoist, singing. Zheng runs after, in vain. He returns to his boat and explains what has happened, refusing to mount a search – he recognised the Daoist and other monk and at last understands that Baoyu is a being from a higher realm. He puts this in a letter to Rongguo.

Aunt Xue and Ke have raised enough money to free Pan under the amnesty. Pan agrees to marry Caltrop. He greets the Jias when Zheng’s letter is read out; all weep, but are consoled by Zheng’s advice not to grieve, as it is his destiny. Lady Wang explains that her grief is mostly on behalf of the pregnant Baochai – Aunt Xue reassures her and Baochai, in turn, is stoic and reasonable. They discuss Aroma’s status dilemma; they must tactfully arrange a match for her.

Zheng, Zhen and She have also returned, and resolve to maintain higher standards of life. Zheng is summoned for an audience with the Emperor, who asks after Baoyu and confers a title upon him. Zheng agrees to Qiaojie’s marriage; Aroma’s sister in law arrives with news that they have found a match for her, which is also approved. Aroma is inconsolable at having to leave, but while she offers no resistance, she is resolved to kill herself. Gradually she is won over by her new home and husband, who turns out to be the actor Jiang Yuhan. He recognises her crimson cummerbund and realises who she is, giving her the courage to open her heart to him.

Jia Yucun, also free, returns to the dilapidated temple and once again recognises Zhen Shiyin, who invites him to his hermitage. They speak about Baoyu; Shiyin has known about his destiny for years. The Stone departed the world when Baoyu and Daiyu were separated and, its worldly karma complete, it demonstrated academic distinction and left an heir behind before Impervioso and Mysterioso take it back. He also tries to explain why Baoyu was blinded by earthly passion before achieving enlightenment, but Yucun cannot understand his words, and why the ladies came to undistinguished ends. Now that virtue reigns in Ningguo and Rongguo, prosperity will follow, led by Jia Lan and Baoyu’s son Jia Gui 贾桂. Shiyin leaves – his daughter Yinglian is about to give birth to Pan’s child, and will die; he escorts her to the Fairy Disenchantment. He passes the monk and the Daoist, who are travelling to Greensickness Peak where they deposit the stone. Vanitas passes it again one day, and noticed a new section has been added, tying up various loose ends in the plot. He copies it down and enters the world of men, but cannot find anyone to publish it. Eventually he finds Yucun sleeping at the dilapidated temple. Yucun reads it and, agreeing that contains no errors, tells him to see Cao Xueqin. After many generations, he does so and Cao agrees to publish it, considering it a fine diversion.

Chapter 119 - supercondensed

Baoyu leaves for the exams, acting strangely. The sale of Qiaojie is nearly settled; Grannie Liu visits and is aghast, and they quickly smuggle Qiaojie out to her village, while the prince reneges on the deal. Baoyu disappears after the exams, upsetting everyone. News arrives that he was placed 7^th. The Emperor is moved, and orders a search and an amnesty, rehabilitating the family. Qiaojie returns.

Chapter 119

中乡魁宝玉却尘缘

沐皇恩贾家延世泽

Baoyu explains his remarks before Oriole leaves. The day of the examinations arrives; Baochai is concerned by Baoyu’s hasty and unconvincing conversion, while Lady Wang is concerned as it will be the first time the boys have been away without her. Baochai finds their parting conversation ominous and Baoyu’s behaviour strange – he acts like he is leaving forever. He is rushed out, giggling, while the ladies weep.

Huan and Lady Xing discuss Qiaojie; all is settled, and she is to leave with no ceremony after Yun sends her horoscope to the prince. A maid overhears and rushes to tell Patience. Qiaojie is disconsolate. A messenger arrives from Lady Xing telling her to prepare; Lady Wang comforts her, and is furious to hear of Huan’s involvement. Grannie Liu is announced; Patience persuades Lady Wang to see her. She is told the whole story since Xifeng’s death. She is aghast, and suggests hiding Qiaojie in her village. Lady Wang consents after hearing Patience and Qiaojie’s entreaties. They act quickly and silently, before Yun returns with the signed contract; Qiaojie is dressed as Qinger, and she and Patience slip into a carriage with Grannie Liu. The sentries, who disapprove of Lady Xing’s plan, are on their side. Lady Wang is still apprehensive; Baochai tells her to act normal, and she will find someone to tell Lady Xing. The Mongol prince, meanwhile, is dismayed to hear that the proposed girl is from the respected Jia family, and shuts down the deal before Yun arrives. Huan is furious. Lady Wang tells them that Patience and Qiaojie have killed themselves and she wants the bodies back. Huan, Yun and Lady Xing are left to blame each other. They interrogate the sentries, who deny all knowledge, complaining about having not been paid while Yun and Huan gamble. They are unable to unearth anything.

The day that the examinations finish, Lan arrives late in the evening without Baoyu. Lan explains that Baoyu finished his exam early and got lost in the crowd outside. All weep and a search party is sent; Baochai, Xichun and Aroma guess that the monk is involved. Tanchun visits a few days later, offering some comfort, although she is upset by recent events. News arrives that Baoyu was placed seventh in the exam, and Lan has passed too as 130th; Baochai and Lady Wang feign delight. Tealeaf briefly cheers them by suggesting that he must be found now that he’s passed, but Xichun and Tanchun are more circumspect, thinking he may have become a monk, and that it was fate. Aroma faints with grief. Lan is summoned by the Emperor, who enjoyed his composition, and explains Baoyu’s disappearance. He also finds that Zhen Baoyu has passed too. The Emperor orders a memorial, and declares an amnesty that saves Pan, and later pardons Zhen and She and returns the confiscated property, all thanks to Baoyu’s poem. He also orders all the garrisons to make a full search for him.

Qiaojie is the toast of her new village; Grannie Liu proposes a match between her and the son of the richest local family. She sends Baner to Rongguo, and he returns with news of the family’s rehabilitation and a letter from Lian inviting Qiaojie home. Qinger and Patience go with her. It is an emotional return; Lian, who is also newly returned, is furious with Yun’s co-conspirators; Lady Xing is ashamed. Aroma is suddenly taken ill.

Chapter 118 - supercondensed

Nightingale volunteers to join Xichun. Qiang, Yun, Huan and Lady Xing try to sell Qiaojie as a concubine to a Mongol prince, distressing the others. Inspired by a letter from Zheng, Aroma and Baochai push Baoyu to study hard.