Chapter 67

见土仪颦卿思故里

闻秘事凤姐讯家童

The Xues discuss Liu Xianglian and Sanjie; Baochai is fatalistic, Pan is distraught and sobered and resolves to focus on his business. He gives Aunt Xue and Baochai trunks of extravagant presents bought on his travels, and makes preparations for a party for his employees, at which he explains Xianglian’s fate, which is discussed.

Baochai starts to portion out amongst her and her cousins Pan’s presents to her. She sends Daiyu some toys made near Suzhou, evoking severe nostalgia; she becomes upset due to her outsider status. Baoyu and Nightingale understand the problem and try to cheer her up, to no avail, and they go to see Baochai to thank her and hear about Pan’s travels; they conclude that Daiyu should find outdoor activities to occupy her when she’s ill. Aunt Zhao, meanwhile, is delighted with the presents sent to Huan and decides to take the opportunity to ingratiate herself with Lady Wang, Baochai’s close kin. Lady Wang is not impressed, and she returns crestfallen. Oriole returns from delivering the presents and gossips with Baochai that Xifeng was very angry about something and talking with Patience.

Baoyu decides that he wants to discuss Daiyu with Aroma, but can’t find her – she’s at Xifeng’s. On the way, she had dispensed some gardening advice. Approaching Xifeng’s, she hears her raised voice and realises the moment might be inopportune. She pays her respects and leaves promptly, and while Xifeng and Patience wait for Brightie to enter Patience tells her precisely what a maid had overheard about ‘the new mistress’ before Brightie told her off. Xifeng quickly gets the truth out of him and summons Joker. He arrives unsuspecting, but Xifeng’s interrogation soon sends him into a frenzy of self-abasement. Joker explains the whole story, including about Sanjie and Xianglian, amid regular interjection and abuse from Xifeng. She forbids him from going to Erjie’s or telling Lian what happened, and tells Brightie he is responsible if word gets round. Having thought for a while, Xifeng summons Patience – she has an idea.