Chapter 107

散馀资贾母明大义

复世职政老沐天恩

Zheng is questioned at court about how much he knew of She’s misdemeanours. The Imperial Edict describes these in full; She is posted in penal servitude to the Mongolian border and Zhen to a maritime frontier, a greatly reduced punishment. Zheng is absolved of blame, and is told not to make any further gesture of thanks. He reports back to the household; Lady Jia is pleased, but Youshi and Lady Xing are inconsolable, Youshi also resenting Lian and Xifeng surviving apparently unscathed. Grandmother Jia asks Zheng about finances, and he is forced to tell her about the scale and hopelessness of their debts, which plunges her into gloom. Zhen and She arrive to say goodbye (a concession secured by Zheng) before lamenting with their wives. Lady Jia finds some money and clothes to give them for their wives and their own expenses. The rest of her money is given to Xifeng and to Zheng to honour their debts, and to Baoyu and Li Wan. She instructs the staff to be reduced and parts of their land, including the Garden, to be sold. Zheng is humbled and contrite as she ruminates on the situation, upsetting the others by speaking of her death. Felicity arrives with a message from Xifeng; Zheng tries to Lady Jia from visiting her, but she dismisses everyone and goes. Her visit immediately restores Xifeng, who had earlier lost all hope, believing the whole family against her. Lady Jia consoles her in her grief, saying that it was the men that started it, and gives her presents; Xifeng kowtows in abject gratitude, and all weep together before leaving. Finally alone, Lady Jia cries to sleep. Zheng accompanies She and Zhen to the city walls and parts from them with formality; returning home, he hears of an edict passing to him the Rongguo hereditary rank and title. He feels both pleasure and shame, weeping with emotion.

Friends and relatives see the latest edict as an indication that the Jia family is still favoured; Zheng visits the Palace in thanks and to offer the residence and Garden as a gift to the Emperor, but is rebuffed. With debts mounting, many of the wealthy servants feign poverty or start looking for other employment; Bao Yong, however, remains loyal, and the other servants try to force him out. In the street one day he overhears that it was information from Jia Yucun that led to the houses being raided. Just at that moment Yucun arrives, and the drunk Bao Yong abuses his sedan. Other servants report him to Zheng for being drunk and disorderly; Zheng just scolds him and transfers him to the Garden. Bao Yong is dismayed but does not complain.