Chapter 23

西厢记妙词通戏语

牡丹亭艳曲警芳心

After Yuanchun’s visit, Tanchun compiles a copy of the poems for her and work begins on the inscriptions around the garden. Jia Zheng considered dispersing the twenty four nuns around the city, but the wife of a poor relation persuades Xifeng to keep them and let her son Jia Qin 贾芹 act as housekeeper.

Yuanchun feels certain that the garden is now shut up out of respect, and feels this is a shame, given its beauty and the girls’ talents. She sends an edict that the girls are to live there, and Baoyu is to study there. He is extremely excited by this. He is summoned by Zheng and reluctant to go; he dawdles and is teased by maids. Zheng thinks how important Baoyu is to Lady Wang, and tells him that the purpose of his moving to the garden is to keep him closer to his studies; constant amusement is making him an idle dullard. He talks with his parents, and Zheng expresses dislike of Aroma’s name.

Baoyu discusses where they want to live in the garden with Daiyu; she wants the Naiad’s House, he the House of Green Delights. A message arrives for Grandmother Jia from Zheng detailing the arrangements for the move; they all move in.

Baoyu is blissfully happy in the garden, and writes some (indifferent) poetry to that effect, applauded by all. He receives requests for more. He suddenly finds himself discontent, plagued by an artistic ennui that the girls can’t understand. Tealeaf buys a pile of books for him, but tells him not to take them into the garden or he’ll be in trouble; Baoyu is delighted, and unwilling to comply with Tealeaf’s request. He is reading ‘Western Chamber’ by a weir, covered in petals, when Daiyu arrives. She tells him not to brush the petals into the weir – she has a grave for flowers – and spots his book. She reads a bit and loves it, before getting angry at a remark of his, accusing him of taking advantage of her. This turns to mirth, and they bury the flowers. Baoyu leaves; Daiyu is lonely and walks past where the actresses are rehearsing. She is moved to tears by their poetry, thinking of ‘Western Chamber’ and other works.