Chapter 39

村老老是信口开河

情哥哥偏寻根究底

Patience has come to collect some crab for Xifeng; Li Wan makes her sit and drink while an old woman takes the crabs. Xifeng sends back some more food in return, along with a jokey message for Patience. She starts drinking with gusto, and Li Wan embraces, tickles and compliments her, and the others join in. They discuss how well-matched all the maids and mistresses are in turn. Li Wan starts getting emotional, and the party breaks up for them to call on Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang. Aroma and Patience discuss the late payment of their allowances – Patience tells her about Xifeng’s financial investments and offers to lend her some, which is refused. Patience finds Grannie Liu and Baner at Xifeng’s – they have come to offer the first fruits of a good harvest to the house. Zhou Rui reports that Grandmother Jia had heard of Grannie Liu’s arrival and had asked to talk to her; Grannie Liu is reluctant, but persuaded. On the way, Patience allows a page whose mother is ill to take the day off. Grannie Liu is intimidated by all the ladies when she enters for her interview. She and Grandmother Jia talk about old age, and Liu is invited to stay longer. They take tea and chat further with Baner plays with the pages. Later, Liu is given a bath (which she puts up with) and returns to the others, telling them about country life, and embellishing some of the anecdotes somewhat. The maids report that a fire has broken out in the stables, but is under control. After a brief drama, Baoyu questions Grannie Liu on some of the finer details, to no avail – she continues her stories. Baoyu is still unsatisfied, and discusses possibilities for Xiangyun’s leaving party with Tanchun. Daiyu teases him, making everyone laugh. Afterwards, Baoyu is able to corner Grannie Liu again, and tests her inventiveness. Eventually, she makes up details about the locations of the places described, and Baoyu, wanting to investigate further, sends Tealeaf off on an errand there related to her story about a wood thief. He returns very late, having found what he was looking for, but saying the directions were completely wrong; Baoyu puts this down to Grannie Liu’s age. He’s angry, though, that Tealeaf didn’t find the beautiful wood thief in the temple but an ugly plague god, hurting his feelings. He promises Tealeaf ample rewards if he can find the place described. Baoyu is summoned by one of Grandmother Jia’s maids.