Chapter 104 - supercondensed

The Drunken Diamond’s animosity towards the Jias is stoked after Jia Yun cannot get him off after he insults Yucun. Zheng returns to Rongguo after being told to be stricter with his family at the Palace. Baoyu wants to write an ode to Daiyu, and asks Aroma to fetch Nightingale, although she is shunning him.

Chapter 104

醉金刚小鳅生大浪

痴公子馀痛触前情

The runner tells Yucun that the temple is on fire; surprised and uneasy, he asks him to stay behind to look out for the old Daoist, before he gets onto the ferry. At the next village, Ni Er the drunkard staggers in front of his sedan and is whipped and taken to the yamen. Word reaches Ni Er’s family, who count Jia Yun amongst their friends. They call on Yun, who promises to get him off, but he is humiliated to be rebuffed by the stewards at Rongguo. He tries to get in the back, but finds it locked, and laments Xifeng’s venality. He lies to the Nis to save face; they find someone else to assist Er and he is released. His animosity towards the Jias is stoked when he hears how little Yun was able to assist, and he swears to spread the rumours he’s heard about the family’s misdeeds.

Back home, Yucun’s wife rebukes him for not having gone back for the Daoist. The runner arrives with his report – no trace of the Daoist was found. At the Cabinet Office, he meets Jia Zheng who is appealing for clemency. While in the Emperor’s presence, Zheng is asked about the misdemeanours of two distantly related Jias, which he thinks bodes ill. He also learns of irregularities at Ningguo, and is advised by ministers to be stricter with his family. Back at Rongguo, the favourable outcome of his audience and news that Tanchun may move back calms Grandmother Jia, and Zheng is pleased to see an outward improvement in Baoyu. Noting Daiyu’s absence, Lady Wang tells him she is ill, but tells him of her death later at the homecoming feast; neither can contain their tears. The next day, after a short ceremony, he warns Zhen to exercise greater diligence.

Meanwhile Baoyu, upset to think of Daiyu, returns home from the family gathering, and requests some time alone from Baochai to concentrate his thoughts. He asks Aroma to fetch Nightingale – who has turned her back on Baoyu for marrying Baochai – as he wants her help to write an ode to Daiyu. He explains to Aroma his confusion and regret over Daiyu’s final days, even his doubts that she is even dead. Aroma agrees to speak with Nightingale the next day, despite his impatience. Musk arrives from Baochai to call Baoyu to bed, teasing them saucily. That night, Baoyu cannot sleep; the next day he learns that there is to be a theatre party to honour Zheng’s return.

Chapter 103 - supercondensed

Jingui has died from poisoning; Caltrop and Moonbeam blame each other and are bound. Jingui’s illbred family arrives, and a fight escalates. Moonbeam asks for Caltrop to be released – Jingui drank poisoned soup intended for her. Jia Yucun encounters Zhen Shiyin, now a monk in a dilapidated temple.

Chapter 103

施毒计金桂自焚身

昧真禅雨村空遇旧

Lady Wang and Lian agree that it is better for Zheng – he is not suited to a provincial post, and is being exploited by all his subordinates. A distressed old woman enters from the Xues – Jingui is dead. Lian is sent to investigate, and Aunt Xue explains how she appeared to die from poisoning after Moonbeam made soup for her and Caltrop; both maids blame the other, and have been locked together. Baochai arrives and they discuss the situation, deciding to bind both maids. Jingui’s mother and adopted brother San, who she was trying to seduce, arrive at the Xues while Lian goes to enlist support at the Board of Punishment. Jingui’s ill bred mother starts abusing and slandering Aunt Xue; Zhou Rui’s wife intervenes and Xia San joins in. Lian arrives, stopping the fight, and Jingui’s mother goes in to see her body. She lunges at Caltrop, but when Moonbeam reveals that Jingui had been taking her jewellery home, the Jias accuse Jingui’s mother of being a thief. She turns on Moonbeam, who in turn asks that Caltrop is released – she explains that she had switched the bowls for Caltrop and Jingui round, and that Jingui must have been planning to poison Caltrop. The story is plausible, and Caltrop is released. With the Xias under suspicion, they are forced to request for the inquest to be dispensed with.

Jia Yucun is conducting a rural tax collection, when he encounters a Daoist in a dilapidated temple; he feels a strange familiarity. The monk’s propensity for puns and references leads him Yucun to recognise him as Zhen Shiyin; however, he does not show any reciprocal recognition, and a reluctant Yucun moves on. Reaching a ferry, he turns and sees someone running towards him.

Chapter 102 - supercondensed

Tanchun leaves; Youshi falls ill after walking in the garden. Fearing spirits, it is abandoned and locked. Even Jia She is shaken by its oppression, and arranges an unconvincing exorcism. Zheng has been impeached, his reputation is ruined.

Chapter 102

宁国府骨肉病灾祲

大观园符水驱妖孽

Lady Wang asks Baochai to cheer Tanchun up before she leaves, and warns her that Fivey does not seem reliable. Tanchun leaves the next day; Baoyu is upset, but her outlook is calm and philosophical. After seeing her off, Youshi returns to Ningguo via Prospect Garden, and is struck by its desolation; she is soon struck by a serious fever. After medicine fails, Jia Rong calls for a fortune teller. The fortune teller prays, divining through trigrams and the Yijing; the divinations show dire misfortune to come. Jia Rong is stunned at the inauspicious reading. Rong and Zhen discuss the divination; they remember that Xifeng also fell ill after seeing spirits in the Garden, and that Skybright and Daiyu’s spirits are probably there. Youshi screams deliriously; word spreads and soon even the servants dare not enter the Garden. Cousin Zhen soon falls ill too, as divined. They burn paper money in the Garden, but all are afraid of it; the costs of keeping it up escalate, and before long it is abandoned and locked up.

Skybright’s cousin’s promiscuous wife is found suddenly dead, exacerbating the rumours of Garden spirits and general apprehension. Jia She, completely disbelieving the rumours, inspects the Garden himself; even he is a shaken by its oppressive nature, which his servants enjoy embellishing. He decides to call for an exorcism; on a suitable day, priests, monks and deacons descend on the Garden. The household menfolk watch the elaborate ceremony, and conduct them round every corner of the Garden. The spirits are ‘contained’ in jars and stored in a geomantic place. The younger men find the ceremony absurd, but there is an observed diminution of demonic activity and the invalids recover; all are half convinced, but the Garden remains empty and unused.

Jia She thinks to move some servants back into the Garden; however, Lian arrives with news that Zheng has been impeached. She is stunned, having just received a letter from him with good news, but Lian soon confirms the news. Zheng has been inept at managing his staff, who have proven exploitative and extortionate. Zheng is just demoted three grades and sent back to Beijing, thanks to Imperial dispensation, but his reputation is ruined. Lian takes the news to Lady Wang.

Chapter 101 - supercondensed

Xifeng is petrified to see the ghost of Qinshi in the garden. Lian is trying to help her badly behaved brother Wang Ren. Xifeng finally arranges for Fivey to work for Baoyu. A nun invites Xifeng to a service. Despite her previous scepticism, she prays and has her fortune read; only Baochai interprets it negatively.

Chapter 101

大观园月夜警幽魂

散花寺神签惊异兆

Xifeng goes to visit Tanchun at night; the moon is extremely bright. Having dismissed her maids on various errands, she finds herself confronted by a large doglike creature, and hurries away in panic. She sees the elegant figure of a lady, who calls her Auntie, and chides her for not heeding her advice. Realising it is the ghost of Qin Keqing, Xifeng spits and flees in fright; when her maids find her, she lies about seeing Tanchun and they head back straight to bed. The next morning, Lian is troubled by several reports in the newspaper before leaving for a meeting. Patience gives Xifeng a massage, while she hears a nanny mistreating Qiaojie; she worries about their future, which upsets Patience. Unexpectedly, Lian arrives back early, having been unable to complete his meeting; he is furious to see the household still so disorderly, and shouts at Xifeng, who contains herself. He reveals that he has been trying to pull strings on behalf of Xifeng’s brother, Wang Ren 王仁, who, as Ziteng’s successor, owes money to the Censorate, but Ren, meanwhile, is holding a party for Zisheng and behaving abominably. Xifeng is upset; Lian criticises her for being too slack and putting up with lax behaviour from her brother and the servants. Patience gives Lian a piece of her mind; he takes his leave. Thoroughly upset, Xifeng decides not to go to Zisheng’s party, but does visit Baochai to explain. She tries to dismiss the doltish Baoyu, but he makes a fuss over his peacock cape; Aroma explains that he had previously said he never wanted to wear it again. Xifeng is reminded of Fivey; now that Baoyu is married, there can be no objection to her working for him, so she will arrange it, delighting Baoyu. Xifeng observes how close Baoyu and Baochai are, and while having an audience with Grandmother Jia, teases Baochai after Baoyu sends back a silly message with urgency.

A nun from Scattered Flowers, Perfecta 大了, calls on Xifeng and Lady Jia to invite her to a particular service regarding spirits. Xifeng’s encounter with Keqing’s ghost has cast her scepticism aside and is intrigued. Perfecta tells Xifeng about the Bodhisattva of the Scattered Flowers, and Xifeng decides to visit the next day to test her story. She does so; after praying like a devout believer, she tests the fortune sticks. She is astounded to read her own name (a reference to a historical Wang Xifeng) on the stick; Perfecta expounds on the fortune telling, interpreting it as a good omen: that Zheng will send for his family. Xifeng is only half convinced; she eats and leaves. At home, any doubts she harbours as to the omen are dispelled by the others’ unanimous acceptance of it.

Baochai, meanwhile, tells Baoyu about the divination; she is sceptical about the interpretation of the verse. Before she can elaborate, she is summoned to Lady Wang’s.

Chapter 100 - supercondensed

Pan is to be executed; Zheng is not implicated. Jingui’s attempts to seduce Ke result in further resentment of Caltrop. Despite the long distance, Lady Wang and Lady Jia trust Zheng’s judgement and make arrangements for Tanchun’s wedding. Baoyu talks to her and relapses, distressed that all his cousins are leaving.

Chapter 100

破好事香菱结深恨

悲远嫁宝玉感离情

Li Shi rushes in to see Zheng after his meeting with the Viceroy; it transpires that the meeting was because Viceroy is related to Tanchun’s suitor, and Li Shi rejoices. Zheng sends a servant home to enquire after the Xue Pan affair (he is not implicated) and to ask Tanchun to join him.

Aunt Xue’s bribes are in vain; she is distraught to hear that Pan is to be executed by strangulation. Baochai tries to comfort her despite her own distress; fate was against them. Aunt Xue explains that the family businesses have been ruined, but Baochai encourages her not to worry. Jingui enters fleetingly, hysterical, and scaring Baoqin.

Jingui continues trying to seduce Ke; his lack of interest encourages her further and his favour for Caltrop makes her jealous. Moonbeam and Jingui find him drunk one evening, having had their wine spurned by him; just as Jingui escalates her seduction, Caltrop arrives and Ke escapes; Jingui’s resentment of her now festers.

Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia discuss Tanchun’s suitor, who they haven’t met. Lady Jia is concerned about the distances involved, but they haven’t seen Yingchun, who married locally and is suffering greatly, either. They trust Zheng’s judgement and set about the arrangements, which saddens Baochai, although Aunt Zhao, who resents Tanchun’s favourable treatment, is delighted. She goes to ‘congratulate’ Tanchun and thoroughly depresses her; Tanchun goes to see Baoyu. He asks her about the music she heard when Daiyu died. Thinking of Daiyu’s ethereal beauty, he asks for Nightingale after Tanchun leaves; she reluctantly complies. His emotions vary wildly, thinking of Daiyu’s fate and Tanchun’s forthcoming wedding. He relapses, distressed that all his cousins are leaving him. Baochai is firm with him before Aroma can humour him. Grandmother Jia instructs Aroma to comfort him after his relapse; she also orders Xifeng to assemble Tanchun’s effects for her journey.

Chapter 99 - supercondensed

The household soon celebrates the marriage’s formal consummation. The garden is now abandoned. Zheng’s staff in his new posting rebel at his inflexibility, and he is soon corrupted. He receives a proposal of marriage for Tanchun, and is distressed to read about further wrongdoing in Pan’s case which could implicate him.

Chapter 99

守官箴恶奴同破例

阅邸报老舅自担惊

Aunt Xue and Grandmother Jia laugh at Xifeng’s story about observing Baoyu and Baochai’s foibles, before conversation turns to Daiyu’s memory. They soon celebrate the marriage’s formal, if not actual, consummation. Aroma gradually stops taking Baoyu to task about his dulled wits; the maids are obedient to Baochai. Baoyu is restless and wants to go to the Garden, which he is forbidden to do. Everyone has now moved out of the Garden.

Zheng has arrived in his provincial posting; his inflexible nature grates with the corrupt clerks, servants and bureaucrats, who tender their resignations. A porter, Li Shi 李十, leads a cunning rebellion amongst the staff; all the yamen services slacken off, and Zheng, after Li’s counsel, finds himself corrupted in order to pay them off and secure his position. Li earns Zheng’s faith, and, with Zheng’s superlative reputation, the yamen appears to be running smoothly.

Zheng soon receives a proposal of marriage for Tanchun from an old Southern acquaintance.  While considering it, his eye alights upon Xue Pan’s in the newspaper; it reports that Pan had connived with the deceased’s relatives to reduce the charge. Zheng recalls that it was his pressure on the local magistrate that reversed the verdict. Not only could he be implicated, but the magistrate could lose his job. He scans more copies of the Gazette, but there is no more mention of the case. The Viceroy arrives, but Zheng’s mind is elsewhere; Li Shi tries to reassure him that, as a lot of bribes were involved, officials are unlikely to admit to wrongdoing and it’ll wash over.

Chapter 98 - supercondensed

The newlyweds undergo formalities while Baoyu deteriorates; Baochai disobeys orders and tells him that Daiyu has died. He howls with grief and has a vision, but gradually improves. Daiyu had died during the wedding, and Baoyu’s recovery is helped by seeing her corpse. Lady Jia is distraught, blaming herself.

Chapter 98

苦绛珠魂归离恨天

病神瑛泪洒相思地

Baoyu’s illness lasts several days; he can neither eat nor recognise others. Despite this, the couple visit the bride’s family as a formality. Baochai and Aunt Xue, knowing the truth, regret giving their consent to the wedding but stay silent. His condition continues to deteriorate, causing a frantic search for a doctor capable of diagnosing it. One does, eventually, and his prescription takes effect quickly. Now comprehending the situation, Baoyu begs Aroma to arrange for him and Daiyu to be cared for together as they die. Baochai takes him to task for this talk, before telling him that Daiyu has already died. He howls in grief, seeing only pitch black; he suddenly finds himself talking to a stranger on the Road to the Nether World. He asks after Daiyu – she has returned to the Land of Illusion, and he must self-cultivate if he is to see her again. The man throws a stone at Baoyu’s chest, and he returns. Baochai had disobeyed Grandmother Jia’s orders to keep Daiyu’s death from him as she knew her to be the real cause of the illness, not the jade; she is reproached, but as he comes to, the doctor finds him much improved. Baochai ignores the others’ criticisms and keeps a close watch on Baoyu, with Aroma regularly consoling him. His mind gradually eases and Baochai calms; she proves a reliable and devoted wife, and part of his love for Daiyu begins to transfer to her.

On the wedding day, Daiyu has improved by the evening, but drifts in and out of consciousness. Li Wan returns to her apartment; Daiyu opens her eyes and grasps Nightingale’s hand, she asks to be buried at home. Tanchun and Li Wan arrive; weeping, they wash the lifeless Daiyu, who suddenly cries out for Baoyu. She breaks out into a cold sweat, and dies at the very moment that Baoyu takes Baochai as his wife. All present wail in their grief, hearing brief snatches of music in the silences of the desolate night. The body is laid out, and Xifeng told the next morning. With everyone else busy and distraught, she faces a dilemma, but decides to tell Grandmother Jia as soon as possible. She is distraught, believing herself to blame. To distract her, Xifeng takes to her to see Baoyu, who claims that Daiyu has told him she is leaving for the South. She tells Baochai of Daiyu’s death, and Baochai begins to rack her brains for a cure for Baoyu. After his recovery, he insists on going to see Daiyu’s corpse; the doctor feels it may help and so Grandmother Jia assents. He goes, and he and all who accompany weep bitterly. He speaks with Nightingale, softening somewhat her damning opinion of him; she gives a full account of the death. The strain of the grief causes Grandmother Jia a feverishness; Baoyu, with Baochai taking him to task, soon learns to moderate his grief. Tended by all around him, he returns to full strength. With the mourning for Yuanchun over, Lady Jia tells Aunt Xue that they should celebrate the consummation; it should be a proper party to put an end to all the troubles. Xifeng enters, and begins to tell a joke.

Chapter 97 - supercondensed

The wedding plans are approved and progress despite concern for Daiyu’s health. Daiyu burns her poems, too weak to rip them. Li Wan frets about her, rallying her maids. Snowgoose is summoned to play a part in the elaborate wedding deception. Baoyu is bewildered to lift his bride’s veil and see Baochai; he suffers a relapse.

Chapter 97

林黛玉焚稿断痴情

薛宝钗出闺成大礼

Bringing up blood has brought Daiyu to her senses, but she quickly recalls Baoyu’s forthcoming wedding, quietly setting her heart on an early death. Ripple, shocked, reveals what has happened to Grandmother Jia; she, Xifeng and Lady Wang are concerned both about the information leak and Daiyu’s health. They visit her and are distraught, deciding to make funeral preparations despite the doctor’s positive diagnosis. Lady Jia finds it hard to understand and sympathise with Daiyu’s lovesickness; wedding preparations continue regardless. The next day, Xifeng tells Baoyu he is to marry Daiyu; he shows comprehension as well as imbecility. The ladies then go to Aunt Xue; they play down Baoyu’s illness and, despite concerns for Baochai’s feelings, she assents to a quick wedding. When she tells Baochai the next day, Baochai cries; Ke soon brings Pan’s approval and Aunt Xue feels more at ease setting about wedding preparations. The next day is revealed to be an auspicious day for the exchange of presents. Baoyu is shown the presents chosen for him to give; his reaction shows an improvement in his wits. The servants are sent to take the presents to Aunt Xue’s, the route planned to avoid the Naiad’s House.

Daiyu is getting iller, despite Nightingale trying to reassure her. Preoccupied with the wedding, and with Lady Jia’s feelings towards her having hardened, not a single person comes to visit. One day, she is helped to sit up and manages to ask her maids for the handkerchiefs with poetry on. Pathetically she tries to tear them. She asks for the brazier to be lit and drops them in before adding her manuscripts of poetry, despite Nightingale trying to stop her and Snowgoose pulling them out. It is clear to Nightingale the next morning that she has reached a crisis, but she finds Grandmother Jia’s apartment – including Baoyu’s room - empty. She is filled with bitter resentment, and extracts from a page that the wedding is to be that evening. Returning to the Naiad’s House, she finds Daiyu having taking another turn for the worse. She sends for Li Wan (as a widow, she is excluded from the festivities). Li Wan frets to see just how weak Daiyu is, but is able to rally the maids who are convulsed with grief. Patience suddenly runs in with Steward Lin’s wife, sent by Xifeng to check on Daiyu and summon Nightingale for other duties. After a curt exchange, it is agreed that Snowgoose will go instead. She goes with a message to start funeral preparations.

She dare not show her grief, and is unaware of her role – Baoyu is healthier with joy for his imminent marriage to Daiyu, and sees Snowgoose walking with the bridal palanquin. Bride and groom kneel for the ceremony, and are showered with fruit as they sit on the bridal bed. Before long, Baoyu lifts Baochai’s veil as Oriole takes Snowgoose’s place. He admires her appearance, although utterly bewildered, and is helped to a chair. Both are silent, until he asks who she is. Confused, he suffers a relapse, repeatedly declaring that he must find Daiyu; he is sedated and sleeps. When Zheng takes his leave the next day, he is told that the marriage was not consummated and that Baoyu is too ill to accompany him away, but not of the relapse. Baoyu does perform some formalities to his father, as does Baochai, but he suffers another relapse immediately after Zheng’s departure.

Chapter 96 - supercondensed

Lady Wang’s brother has died, adding to the gloom. Concerned, Lady Jia decides to hold the wedding quickly before Zheng’s departure. Responding to Aroma and Lady Wang’s concerns, Xifeng proposes that they tell Baoyu he is to marry Daiyu. Daiyu is horrified and confused to find the truth about the wedding from Simple.

Chapter 96

瞒消息凤姐设奇谋

泄机关颦儿迷本性

The man grovels to the furious Lian before Lai Da dismisses him. Zheng is told nothing of the incident. Soon after, Xifeng reports to Lady Wang that Wang Ziteng has died en route to the capital. Lian confirms that he died after taking quack medicine for a cold. Lady Wang is extremely upset, and asks Lian to help with the funeral. Zheng, already despondent at Baoyu’s state, responds with gloom to the news, and he does not want to celebrate a promotion which will take him away from the household. He is called to Lady Jia, who is upset that he is leaving and she will have only the deranged Baoyu to look after her. She has had his fortune told, and wants to expedite the marriage as a result. He is also concerned for his own lineage, and despite the mourning period for Yuanchun and Pan’s prison sentence, Lady Jia decides to hold a low key wedding before Zheng’s departure to help his health; she also hopes it will draw the jade back. Zheng has grave doubts, but cannot go against her and she sets about the arrangements.

Baoyu and his maids were present at that meeting, and while he did not hear anything, Aroma is at first glad both to know the truth and that he is to marry Baochai, but his secret feelings for Daiyu and potential reaction sets her brooding. She takes Lady Wang aside and reveals her concerns. Lady Wang has deduced the same and brings it up with Lady Jia later. Lady Jia sighs – it is in insoluble problem. Xifeng, however, is also present, and proposes a plan: the first part is that they tell him that he is to marry Daiyu and gauge his reaction; the second part she whispers in the others’ ears. Lian returns, and Xifeng intercepts him before he can reveal Ziteng’s death to Lady Jia. He tells Lady Wang of the funeral arrangements and his posthumous promotion.

A few days later, Daiyu is walking to Grandmother Jia’s when she overhears sobbing at the place where she once buried the flowers. It is a maid, Simple, who tells Daiyu that her sister struck her for talking about Baoyu and Baochai’s wedding. Daiyu calms herself before the maid talks more about the arrangements. After she mentions their plans to find Daiyu a husband she is speechless with horror, but Simple carries on narrating the injustice done to her. She wanders aimlessly in her distress, and is found by Nightingale, to whom it is obvious that she is utterly confused. She guides her to Grandmother Jia’s nonetheless, where Daiyu goes into Baoyu’s room. They just stare at each other like halfwits until she asks him why he is sick. He says that it is because of Miss Lin; the maids are pale with fright and Nightingale and Ripple lift her to her feet and take her out. Nightingale guides her home, and they are nearly back when Daiyu stumbles, blood gushing from her mouth.

Chapter 95 - supercondensed

Tealeaf finds similar jades in pawnshops and Adamantina holds a séance; Baoyu becomes morose. Lady Wang and Lady Jia are summoned to the Palace, where Yuanchun dies. Distressed at his increasingly imbecilic state, Lady Jia moves Baoyu in with her. A man arrives with a jade claiming a reward; Baoyu rejects it.

Chapter 95

因讹成实元妃薨逝

以假混真宝玉疯癫

Tealeaf has run round the pawnshops and found two jades that match the description; Baoyu wants to get him enough money to buy them both, but Aroma jeers that every pawnshop is likely to have one. Xiuyan returns; after some persuasion, Adamantina has relented and performed a séance for her, which revealed that the jade disappeared without trace, returning to Greensickness Peak. They interpret that it will be found when they are not looking for it, but do not understand ‘Greensickness Peak’; Aroma takes it literally and searches the Garden again. It is late and the gathering disperses.

Daiyu considers that the lost jade is a sign that she has broken the bond of gold and jade, bringing her peace of mind which fluctuates as she tries to interpret the crab trees as well. Investigations continue for several days, although neither Lady Jia nor Zheng find out. Baoyu becomes listless and morose. Lian brings news to Lady Wang that Wang Ziteng has been promoted to a post in the capital, which delights and distracts her until Zheng, a few days later, announces that Yuanchun has been taken seriously ill. Lady Wang tells Grandmother Jia, and they set out for the Palace. Yuanchun has developed a chronic bronchial condition, exacerbated by a cold, and is unable to swallow medicine or speak; Lady Wang and Lady Jia are distraught by her appearance, but maintain court formalities. It is soon announced that she has died, in line with her fortune reading. The family return to Rongguo, where all are soon kept extremely busy with the funeral and Wang Ziteng’s arrival. Baoyu, without rank, does not attend the funeral and is left to his own idleness again, but he just sits around and mopes. A concerned Aroma gets Nightingale to persuade Daiyu to talk to him but, believing herself his future bride, she refuses to go to him; Tanchun is also too gloomy to help. Baochai, meanwhile, has been told of her betrothal, accepting in a filial fashion, so Baoyu’s name is a taboo so she is unable to help when she hears about the missing jade, although Aunt Xue does enquire after it. Aroma and Musk are anguished by Baoyu’s increasingly imbecilic, deranged state. A doctor prescribes medicine, which proves ineffective. After the funeral and Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia can see him again, it is soon clear that, despite appearances, he has lost his wits. Grandmother Jia is extremely agitated to hear of the lost jade. With Zheng out, Lian is ordered to put reward posters up and Baoyu is moved to Lady Jia’s apartment – without his jade, how can he repel the evil influences recently seen in the Garden?

Zheng, returning that evening, overhears street talk about the jade. Back at Rongguo it is explained to him. He is exasperated, but while he cannot oppose the posters as they were Lady Jia’s idea he does order them to be taken down. Nevertheless, a man soon appears claiming the reward. The gatehouse servants run to Lian, who spreads the news, and the man is invited in. The jade looks familiar to Lian, but Lady Wang, Lady Jia and Xifeng cannot identify it with certainty – it is not as lustrous as they remember. Aroma, whose hopefulness outweighs her doubts about the jade’s authenticity, fetches Baoyu, but he rejects the jade without looking at it. Grandmother Jia decides that they should be lenient to the impostor; a more irate Lian goes to address him in the study.

Chapter 94 - supercondensed

The nuns are disposed of. The crab trees, assumed dead, have budded; each has their own interpretation of the omen. Baoyu cannot find the jade and all are distressed. Huan is questioned, a search plan is hatched and divination made.

Chapter 94

宴海棠贾母赏花妖

失宝玉通灵知奇祸

The novices are dismayed to find that they are being kept as prisoners; everyone knows only the official line. Zheng is detained at work and authorises Lian to deal with them. He consults Lady Wang in order not solely to incur Zheng’s wrath should his actions not be effective. Lady Wang reiterates her belief that they shouldn’t have kept them and should get rid of them, and tells Lian to do so by sending them home, finding them husbands and banning family men from the Temple. Lian transmits this to Lai Da, who deals with it while he disposes of Jia Qin. When Zheng returns, he considers the matter closed.

Nightingale tries to find out more about the novices from Faithful, but she doesn’t know. Two of Fu Shi’s women arrive to promote his daughter to Grandmother Jia, but she is sleeping; Nightingale wonders why they don’t marry her to Baoyu, before regretting to herself how besotted Daiyu – and the rest of the household – is with the flittish Baoyu, and how is causes her suffering. Compassion gives way to annoyance and she resolves to detach herself from their relationship. Back at the Naiad’s House, her off-hand manner shocks Daiyu. There is a hubbub in the Garden – Baoyu has found that the crab trees, assumed dead, have budded, and the senior ladies come to inspect them. Daiyu gets herself ready and goes to join the gathering, where they discuss the unexpected and unseasonal flowering. Tanchun silently thinks that it is an ill omen; Daiyu gives a parable to show that it is an auspicious result of Baoyu’s studying. Zheng and She arrive; both feel they are evil manifestations, but Lady Jia is determined on a positive interpretation and decides to have a party. After they are reminded of the Crabflower Club and Baoyu, Huan and Lan write quatrains for Lady Jia; Baoyu is reminded of Skybright. As Lady Jia leaves, a package of silk arrives from Xifeng, with the ambiguous phrase ‘happy event’. In truth, Xifeng thinks the omen is bad and the silk is to combat that bad luck.

Baoyu, who had had to change quickly for Lady Jia’s arrival, changes back into comfortable clothes, but cannot find the jade. Aroma is alarmed and questions the maids before they spend most of the day searching. In the evening, Musk and Ripple are sent off to make furtive inquiries in case a maid or guest had taken it, with no luck. All at Green Delights are petrified, and before long others arrive to help search the Garden. Li Wan suggests that all the maids and servants are strip searched. They agree, but Tanchun thinks it’s futile and hints that it must be Huan’s doing. Patience fetches Huan who stomps out when questioned; an exasperated Baoyu starts a discussion to decide what excuse to tell Lady Jia. Aunt Zhao arrives to defend Huan angrily; not long after, Lady Wang arrives to ask if it’s true. She sees through his excuse that he left it at the theatre and extracts the true story. Xifeng arrives and suggests that, to ensure that the thief doesn’t destroy the jade, they make it known that he threw it away while they carry out a low key three day search. The Garden is sealed off; Lin Zhixiao’s wife suggests consulting a diviner and Xiuyan suggests getting Adamantina to hold a séance. Lin’s wife brings news; the divination is eerily accurate, and indicates that the jade will be found in a pawnshop. Hope and calm is restored when Tealeaf arrives with reliable news of the jade’s whereabouts.