Chapter 32

诉肺腑心迷活宝钗

含耻辱情烈死金钏

Baoyu is delighted; Aroma congratulates Xiangyun on her engagement, but she is bashful. She and Aroma reminisce, laughing and embarrassing each other. Aroma is touched by Xiangyun’s present, although Baoyu had already given her one of his. Xiangyun is reminded of her orphan status and wells up. Aroma asks for a favour of Xiangyun, to finish sewing some slippers; Xiangyun infers that they are for Baoyu and agrees on the condition that they are for Aroma to wear. The conversation awkwardly turns to Daiyu when a servant enters calling for Baoyu to meet the newly arrived Jia Yucun. Baoyu is irritated, and Xiangyun irritates him further by saying he should be spending more time in such company, not with girls. Aroma uses her experiences to dissuade her from trying to reason with him.

Daiyu has surmised that Baoyu intends to use the qilin to break with her and romance with Xiangyun; she has snuck over to Green Delights and overheard the conversation about her. She has mixed feelings about this, and walks away weeping, when Baoyu catches up with her. They argue, Daiyu bringing up the lost qilin, but Baoyu shocks her by saying something so insightful, seemingly reading her mind. They stare at each other in silence, before she hurries off, again crying. He runs after her, but she turns again and leaves. Meanwhile, Aroma has hurried out as Baoyu had forgotten his fan; when she sees them together, she halts. She approaches after Daiyu leaves, and addresses Baoyu; he, however, blurts out an impassioned speech intended for Daiyu. Shaken out of his trance, he flees in embarrassment.

Aroma later realises that Baoyu’s words were intended for Daiyu, and broods on their potentially scandalous situation. Baochai asks her what she’s thinking about, she jokes in response. They discuss Baoyu’s visitor, and Baochai says how lonely Xiangyun must be at her home, making Aroma remorseful about her earlier request. Baochai volunteers to help, when an old woman rushes up and tells them that Golden, who had just been dismissed, has drowned herself in the well. She had been like a sister to Aroma, who weeps. Baochai heads to Lady Wang’s to offer sympathy; they briefly discuss Baoyu before talking about Golden. Lady Wang feels responsible, telling Baochai she was dismissed for breaking something of hers. Baochai believes it must have been an accident, but suggests helping with the funeral. Lady Wang has given her family some money, and had wanted to give some clothes too but the only ones suitable were Daiyu’s, and she didn’t want to upset her superstitious nature, so has had a tailor make some up. She cries to think how much like a daughter Golden had been. Baochai offers two of her dresses, and fetches them; on returning, she finds Lady Wang rebuking a weeping Baoyu about something. Lady Wang summons Golden’s mother.