Chapter 85

贾存周报升郎中任

薛文起复惹放流刑

Huan rants and raves about Xifeng; after slipping in her barbed message to Aunt Zhao, the rift between the two sides of the family is permanently deepened. Meanwhile, Baoyu is delighted to be brought along on a visit to give birthday felicitations to the Price of Beijing. After being shown in by a eunuch, the Prince immediately asks after Baoyu’s stone, and asks him to stay after the others leave post-formalities. He gives his protégé tea and food, a great honour, and tells him that Governor Wu 吴大人 has given Zheng the highest possible recommendation. He also gives him a replica of the jade that he has had made. Back at the house, they report back to Grandmother Jia and Baoyu tells Zheng of Governor Wu’s recommendation; Zheng later learns that Governor Wu had visited him while he was out, and that a Permanent Secretary position has become available. Baoyu, meanwhile, discusses the new jade with Grandmother Jia, and reports that he has seen his own jade give off a mysterious glow. Lady Wang and Lady Xing take this as an auspicious portent. After he leaves, the ladies discuss his matrimonial prospects further – Aunt Xue is happy with the plan but Pan, as the senior male Xue, also needs to be consulted.

Baoyu discusses their mysterious tone with Aroma before retiring for the night; Aroma feigns ignorance, but is certain of its meaning and the next morning she goes to see Nightingale for the latest gossip. Amid Daiyu’s toilet, she is unable to broach the subject, and heads back; waiting for her is a pageboy representing Jia Yun (who wants to see Aroma alone), who she dismisses. When Baoyu returns in the evening, she tells him that Yun has left a note for him, and that she doesn’t trust the shifty Yun at all. Baoyu cheerily rips up and burns the note after reading it, without divulging the contents. He then doesn’t eat his supper, and starts crying, causing Musk and Aroma some alarm. He sits up, laughs, and goes to sleep. The next day Baoyu bumps into Yun on his way to school; Yun points out the throngs of crowds outside the gate – Zheng’s promotion has been made official. Baoyu spits angrily at the obsequious Yun (who makes reference to Baoyu’s engagement) before heading to school, from which he is given a day’s celebratory grace. He joins a general gathering at Lady Jia’s, and takes the opportunity to catch up with Daiyu, for which they are mocked by Xifeng. A relative has sent a new troupe of players for them, and as it is soon Daiyu’s birthday, they plan to celebrate that and the promotion together. A stream of visitors cause the house to bustle for the few days before the party. At the party, Daiyu sits at the head of the table; she notices Baochai’s absence. They enjoy several pieces before a panicked servants extracts Xue Ke, followed by Aunt Xue and Baoqin. At Jingui’s apartment, they hear wailing and are met by a tearful Baochai; Pan is in prison accused of murder. Baochai insists they need a good scrivener; Aunt Xue wants to pay the victim’s family off, but Baochai wins out and Ke is despatched to find more information. With a dramatic wail, Jingui launches an attack on Caltrop, causing Aunt Xue to faint. Given the emergency, Baochai breaks protocol (after the betrothal visit, she is to spurn contact with Baoyu’s family) and sends an update to Lady Wang. A letter from Ke arrives a few days later; Pan is charged with manslaughter. They need more money and a change of plea; the delivery boy starts to give them a full account.