Chapter 61

投鼠忌器宝玉瞒赃

判冤决狱平儿行权

The page boy banters Cook Liu, talking and Fivey and asking her to take some fruit from the Garden for her, finally letting her pass. Yingchun’s maid Lotus 莲花儿 later asks her for a special dish for her principal maid Chess 司棋, causing an argument when she doesn’t offer anything to cover the cost. She leaves and reports back to Chess, who is incensed and goes to the kitchen, causing havoc. Her pillages ceases on seeing that Cook Liu is preparing her dish after all.

Liu gives Fivey the lycoperdon snow; she resolves to give half to Parfumée, and heads out. She gives it to Swallow to pass on, but while she’s out is confronted by Lin Zhixiao’s wife – she is supposed to be ill. Her halting response reminds Lin Zhixiao’s wife that Silver had recently reported several things missing; unfortunately several maids arrive, and Lotus reveals seeing essence of rose (one of the missing objects) at Cook Liu’s. They search the kitchen, and also find the lycoperdon snow; they take Fivey to Tanchun’s, then Xifeng’s. Xifeng orders Cook Liu and Fivey to be thrown out and lashed. Fivey explains to Patience, who believes her, but she still spends the night guarded and weeping continuously. The next morning all resume investigations. Baoyu is shocked, and suggests to Patience that they say the lycoperdon snow – which had been a present for their Ladyships - was also given to her by Parfumée. (They all know that it was Sunset who had really stolen the essence of roses to give to Huan.)  Patience, Aroma et al agree that it would be best if Baoyu takes the blame, which he has volunteered to do, but call Silver and Sunset to straighten it out first. Sunset confesses to being the thief. Patience and Parfumée tell Fivey what to say, and take her to Xifeng, where Patience tells her and Lin Zhixiao’s wife that Baoyu is the thief. Xifeng isn’t convinced, knowing Baoyu’s propensity for taking the blame, and wants further harsh investigation and Cook Liu dismissed anyway. Patience persuades her to mercy.