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.