Chapter 83

省宫闱贾元妃染恙

闹闺阃薛宝钗吞声

Outside is an old woman shouting abuse at a girl; such is Daiyu’s insecurity that she assumes it is directed at her, and she sobs herself unconscious. After she comes round, Tanchun shouts at the old woman outside. She then suggests reviving the poetry club; Daiyu is more concerned that the acuity of her illness be known to Grandmother Jia.

Snowgoose and Nightingale tend to Daiyu; Aroma arrives. She is shocked by her state, not least as last night Baoyu started screaming in pain in the middle of the night. Daiyu overhears and questions her; she asks that Baoyu not be told about her illness. Meanwhile, Tanchun and Xiangyun tell Grandmother Jia about Daiyu’s illness; she orders that Baoyu’s doctor, arriving tomorrow, also see her. His diagnosis of an advanced morbid obstruction accords with her symptoms. He writes a prescription, and explains its ingredients to Jia Lian. He is discussing it with Xifeng when Zhou Rui’s wife arrives. When Lian leaves, she expresses her concern for Daiyu and asks for more money for the maids’ incidental expenses. She consents, but asks that it is kept quiet, and discusses the household’s tight financial straits and the gossip surrounding her management. Zhou Rui’s wife tells of how extravagantly rich the townsfolk think they are (although she knows that they know the truth really). Xifeng reiterates her intense concern about their finances and reputation.

Jia Lian, meanwhile, hears from a page boy that a senior consultant has been summoned to the Palace. He and other household gentlemen are investigating the rumour when eunuchs arrive, inviting four women to the Palace to see Yuanchun, who has been lately indisposed. The next morning, the party of the whole Jia clan sets off with some pomp. The men halt at the Inner Gate of the Forbidden City; the four ladies continue in to Yuanchun’s bedchamber. They have a formal but emotional catch-up, repeated over the next few days.

In the Xue household, meanwhile, Jingui has found her stratagem in giving the now self-assured Moonbeam to Pan has misfired. One day, she taunts her, which soon develops into another fight. Hearing the racket, Aunt Xue sets off to confront them with Baochai reluctantly in tow. When Jingui turns on Aunt Xue, Baochai tries to reason with her, attracting her taunts. Baochai manages to contain her anger; Jingui only erupts further, inflaming Aunt Xue. She and Baochai leave, and encounter one of Lady Jia’s personal maids on the way; she has been waiting there a while, but reassures them that all families have their little troubles. Soon after, Aunt Xue cries out in pain, clutching her chest.