接外孙贾母惜孤女
Yucun learns from Zhang Rugui 张如圭 of a motion to
reinstate officials, and Leng suggests asking Lin Ruhai to ask Jia Zheng to
help him. It happens that Lin’s mother-in-law had already sent men to take
Daiyu to Rongguo, but this was delayed due to her illness. Yucun is to
accompany her journey. Having made a good impression on Zheng, he is appointed
to the position of magistrate of Yingtianfu near Nanjing.
A nervous Daiyu is met by Grandmother
Jia 贾母 and introduced to the ladies, girls and maids of the household.
They discuss her mother and illness before Wang Xifeng 王熙凤 enters, making a
big impression on Daiyu with her brash ways. Daiyu is carried, with Lady
Xing 邢夫人 to another
courtyard. A servant gives Jia She’s 贾赦 welcome and apologies for his absence.
Daiyu enters Rongguo mansion
proper to pay respects to Jia Zheng. He is in retreat, however, so she talks
with Lady Wang 王夫人, who warns her about her wild cousin
Baoyu. She sits down to eat with Grandmother Jia and her cousins, when Baoyu
enters, who looks attractive and strangely familiar.
Baoyu leaves and gets changed
before welcoming Daiyu. Baoyu also finds her attractive and familiar. Daiyu
lies about her education while Baoyu shows off and reacts impetuously to talk
of the jade. Baoyu persuades Grandmother to let them sleep next to each other.
Daiyu is given one of Grandmother’s maids, Nightingale 鹦哥,
as a body-servant. Daiyu cries over Baoyu’s turn, and Baoyu’s maid Aroma 袭人warns her not to be so sensitive round
him. The next morning, it transpires that a cousin, Xue Pan 薛蟠,
is being investigated for murder in Yingtianfu.
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