Chapter 64

幽淑女悲题五美吟

浪荡子情遗九龙佩

The funeral procession is magnificent. Baoyu is also required to spend all day by the coffin in Ningguo; one day, with no visitors, he goes back and finds Parfumée and Skybright fighting at Green Delights. Aroma has gone religious and is meditating. On the way to Daiyu’s, he bumps into Snowgoose, who has a large amount of fruit for Nightingale. Baoyu works out it must be the anniversary of Aunt Lin’s death, and decides not to bother Daiyu. Instead, he goes to see Xifeng, who is feeling better, before heading back to Daiyu’s. She is upset, and they have an emotional, sympathetic moment together. Nightingale enters, and thinks they have been quarrelling. Baoyu, feeling awkward, picks up some of Daiyu’s papers as Baochai enters. Daiyu has written a series of poems about famous women, but she and Baochai are uncomfortable with his discovering the poems – poetry is not the priority for ladies. Baoyu and Baochai praise the poems enthusiastically.

It is announced that Jia Lian has returned, and Baoyu goes to greet him. Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang return the next day, and go to see the coffin; Grandmother Jia is very moved and, back at Rongguo, it is apparent that mourning and travel have made her ill. She is not well enough for Jia Jing’s funeral a few days later. Jia Lian has admired Mrs You’s daughters Erjie 二姐 and Sanjie 三姐 for some time, and takes the opportunity to act. He uses every excuse to see Erjie; helping Cousin Zhen, who is very short of money after the funeral expenses. On the way, Jia Rong suggests helping Lian have her in a secret marriage – her family has a complex history and they would have no problem with it, but Xifeng might. Rong explains his idiotic plan for that, but Lian trusts in it, despite everything, not least its illegality and Rong’s own interest in Erjie. Lian goes to see Erjie, and is flirting with her with a handkerchief and set of jade dragons when her mother and Sanjie enter. He takes care of official business, charming Mrs You. Rong calls Lian out, and he watches Rong talking with Mrs You, gesturing to Lian and Erjie. Sanjie shouts at him. He then goes to tell Cousin Zhen of the plan; he approves, but isn’t sure whether Erjie would agree, and talks to Youshi, who disapproves. The next day, Rong goes to persuade Mrs You, who then goes to persuade Erjie, who consents with a nod. Cousin Zhen tells Lian, who is delighted and sets about arrangements. He chooses Bao Er and his new wife the Mattress, united in their hatred of Xifeng, for this household, and pays off Erjie longstanding betrothed. He chooses a date for the secret marriage.