Chapter 22

听曲文宝玉悟禅机

制灯谜贾政悲谶语

Xifeng returned to discuss Baochai’s 15^th birthday with Lian, he tells her to do the same as she did for Daiyu and storms off, telling her to stop snooping.

Xiangyun is persuaded to stay for Baochai’s birthday. Xifeng banters with Grannie Jia that if she wants plays, she’ll have to pay for them. A troupe of child actors trained to perform Kunqu and Yiqiang are engaged, and each guest chooses a play. Baoyu criticises Baochai’s choices, leading to a debate, resulting in his praising her knowledge. One of the child actors’ make-up reminds everyone of Daiyu; Xiangyun comments on this, causing offence to Daiyu, and Xiangyun strops, asking her maid Kingfisher 翠缕 to pack so they can leave. Baoyu looks for Daiyu, who is angry with him as well – both girls think the problem derives from the other’s higher status. Baoyu is reminded of a passage of Zhuangzi and realises the futility of arguing and leaves, angering her further. When Aroma tries to cheer him, he ponders an aria, first weeping, then composing several lines before sleeping, liberated. Daiyu finds the lines, shows them to Xiangyun and Baochai before tearing it up. All the girls laugh, then confront him about it, mocking his composition with greater intelligence and knowledge – Baoyu realises he can’t have reached enlightenment, and laughs, saying it was only a joke.

Yuanchun has sent round a lantern riddle; everyone is to guess, writing down their answer and sending it to her with a new riddle. It is easy, although they praise it, and everyone but Yingchun and Huan get it right. Huan is put out. Inspired, Grandmother Jia holds a riddle party. Zheng’s presence makes everyone less talkative than usual; he realises this when Grandmother Jia attempts to send him off. He can stay if he takes part in the riddles, which he does, offering one and guessing everyone else’s, which are written on lanterns. All the girls’ lanterns, however, are full of references to grief and loss, making him gloomy. He leaves after a couple more drinks. The party continues before they all go to bed.