Chapter 72

王熙凤恃强羞说病

来旺妇倚势霸成亲

Faithful resolves to keep her experience to herself, but Chess is still ill at ease. When she hears her cousin is missing, she falls ill in earnest. Faithful visits her to reassure her, and they bond. She has also noticed that Xifeng is ill and drops in on her. Xifeng is napping, so Faithful talks with Patience, who tells her that Xifeng refuses to see a doctor. She has been bleeding continuously since her last period; Faithful’s sister died of something similar. A marriage broker arrives to see Xifeng and is sent away; Jia Lian returns. By coincidence he had been looking for Faithful as he couldn’t find a present given to Grandmother Jia. Xifeng has it in their loft – Lian had forgotten that she had it. When Faithful tries to leave, Lian asks a favour of her – he is out of money and wants her to smuggle a box of Grandmother Jia’s valuables that she wouldn’t miss. He flatters her, but she is summoned away before agreeing and Lian goes in to see Xifeng, who is now up, and they discuss their plan and what Xifeng will get out of it. They laugh together, but she flies off the handle at one point at Lian’s tone when discussing money – her family are much richer than the Jias. It is the anniversary of Erjie’s death the next day and Xifeng plans to visit her grave. Brightie’s wife hurries in – she is trying to arrange the marriage of her son to Sunset, who is at home with her parents, without luck so far. She had hoped that Xifeng could help settle it; the girl is keen, but her parents are a stumbling block. Lian offers the help the next day. In return, Xifeng wants Brightie to start calling in the loans she’s handed out – money is short. A messenger arrives from the Master of the Bedchamber at the Palace wanting a loan. She strings him along – saying he can have as much money as he wants, and that there’s no need to pay back this or previous loans. Brightie’s wife plays along, and Patience gives the messenger the money having pawned some jewellery.

Lian hears from Lin Zhixiao that Jia Yucun has been demoted; they don’t know what for, but resolve to have little to do with him. They talk about the household’s financial problems – Lin Zhixiao think they should discharge some of the older servants and reduce the household wage bill. Lian agrees, but doesn’t want to trouble the recently-returned Zheng. He asks Lin to help with brokering Brightie’s son’s marriage; he is lukewarm, as Brightie’s son is already quite the rogue. Lian thinks he needs a good hiding; Zhixiao suggests the Lian punishes him next time he’s in trouble. That evening, Sunset’s mother agrees to the marriage after meeting Xifeng, but Lian expresses his doubts to her.

Brightie’s visit to Sunset’s parents has filled her with foreboding – her heart belongs to Jia Huan, and when she hears of Brightie’s son’s reputation she is more alarmed. Worrying that their relationship with Xifeng might cement it, she sends her sister Moonrise 小霞 to find out from Aunt Zhao what is happening. Aunt Zhao is keen for Huan to ask for Sunset, and tries to enlist Zheng’s support, but he is unenthusiastic. He has girls in mind for Baoyu and Huan, but thinks they are too young. They are disturbed by a loud crash.