Chapter 44

变生不测凤姐泼醋

喜出望外平儿理妆

Daiyu has guessed the reason for Baoyu’s earlier absence, and makes loud comments to Baochai during the play regarding offerings. Grandmother Jia is fussing that Xifeng enjoy herself and makes Youshi do her bidding, but Xifeng is being difficult and not drinking much unless forced. She is forced, and is very drunk. She slips away with Patience and, in an alley, a junior maid runs when she sees them. She is caught and, after threats and blows, admits that Jia Lian has returned and she had been stationed to give him warning of her coming. She reveals under further duress that he has Bao Er’s 鲍二 wife there. Xifeng is furious and strides off, encountering and slapping another junior maid, and eavesdropping on Lian’s conversation badmouthing her tyranny and praising Patience, wanting to kill the former and marry the latter. She strikes Patience before bursting in and shouting at and beating Bao Er’s wife. Patience is overwhelmed and joins in the pummelling of the woman. Lian, also drunk, threatens Patience, who stops; Xifeng then hits her for being scared of him. Attacked on both sides, she dashes out threatening suicide, and is seized by maids. Xifeng and Lian’s rumpus continues with him grabbing a sword, when Youshi and a crowd arrive. Xifeng runs weeping to Grandmother Jia, exaggerating the tale and threats. Lian, assuming impunity, is dragged in, sword in hand, and roundly scolded by mother and aunt as well. Grandmother Jia sends for his father, and he finally sulks out. To Xifeng, she dismisses the incident, but expects apologies the next day, and sends a sympathetic message to Patience.

Patience is a sobbing heap with Baochai and Li Wan trying to lift her spirits. She perks up when Amber arrives with a Grandmother Jia’s message. The girls return, and Baoyu invites Patience to his place, where she continues to be upset, but is treated kindly – it is the first time that Baoyu has been able to deal closely with Patience, who he admires greatly. He offers her one of Aroma’s dresses to wear and she is touched. He urges her to put on some make up, talking her through his luxurious toiletries. She is summoned away to Li Wan’s; he is overjoyed to have been able to show her something of what he feels for her. Thinking of her lot with the boorish Lian and vindictive Xifeng, he weeps. He irons and folds her dress before heading out.

The next morning a remorseful Lian heads to Grandmother Jia’s to apologise. He smarts at her injustice, but acknowledges guilt. He eventually apologises to Xifeng in a droll manner that causes laughter. He apologises immediately to Patience, causing further laughter, and Patience and Xifeng have a tearful reunion. When alone, Xifeng provokes further argument, turning to laughter, when a woman arrives to report that Bao Er’s wife has hanged herself. Lin Zhixiao’s 林之孝 wife arrives and says that her family are thinking of taking the matter to court. Xifeng is resolutely stubborn. Jia Lian leaves to talk to Lin Zhixiao himself, and eventually they keep quiet for a payment, against Xifeng’s wishes, and he flatters Bao Er back to his side. Xifeng inquires after the injuries she cause Patience, when Li Wan and the cousins arrive.