Chapter 48

滥情人情误思游艺

慕雅女雅集苦呤诗

On account of his beating, Xue Pan does not leave his room, but after throwing a farewell party for some of his employees, decides to go travelling with one of them, Zhang Dehui 张德辉. Although initially pleased, Aunt Xue refuses this; Baochai shares her concerns, but persuades her that he should go. She entrusts him to Zhang, before spending several days packing and seeing him off tearfully.

Aunt Xue reorganises the Xues’ household, with Baochai persuading her to move Caltrop to her rooms. Caltrop is delighted, and asks Baochai to teach her to write poetry, which is laughed off. She is about to go round the garden making her introductions when Patience arrives; when they are alone, Patience tells Baochai that Sir She has beaten Jia Lian to a pulp. She blames Yucun: She had admired some of his antique fans and sent Jia Lian to buy some; he tracked some down, but the owner wouldn’t sell, making She think Lian was incompetent. Yucun heard about this, imprisoned the owner, seized the fans and gave them to She as a present. She and Lian argued, which triggered the beating, which was also several things coming to a head. Baochai sends for some tablets for him; Patience thanks her and leaves.

Caltrop is at Daiyu’s, and asks her to teach her poetry too; Daiyu agrees and runs her through the basics of regulated verse. Caltrop is enthusiastic, but Daiyu scoffs at her taste and gives her a copy of Wang Wei and sets her some study. She returns, and Baochai cannot make her go to bed – she is impressed by Caltrop’s absorption.

The next morning, Caltrop arrives at Daiyu’s to swap her copy for some Du Fu. Caltrop gives her assessment of Wang Wei; Baoyu and Tanchun enter and are impressed, and they all discuss further. Tanchun smiles that she should invite Caltrop to join the club soon. Tanchun assures her that they only write for fun, but Baoyu reveals that some of his father’s literary friends are interested in printing them. The others are aghast. Baoyu is called away to Xichun’s, and Caltrop asks Daiyu and Tanchun for a theme for composition, which they give her. She returns; Baochai mocks her and laughs at her poem, although telling her she mustn’t be disheartened. She goes to Daiyu, who is more kind, but still critical. Caltrop sits outside meditating by the water, and is observed by the others with amusement; Baochai insists that she’s gone mad. They discuss her, and see her run back to Daiyu’s, and follow. The new poem is better, but still laboured, and Caltrop is dashed by its rejection. She begins thinking furiously about her next poem and, in her dazed state, makes the others laugh. They blame Daiyu, and take her to see Xichun’s painting. But Caltrop can think of nothing but poetry, and composed a poem in her sleep, writing it down first thing in the morning. Later, Baochai tells Li Wan and the cousins about this, and when they come across Caltrop, they ask her if they can see it.