Chapter 115

惑偏私惜春矢素志

证同类宝玉失相知

Zheng summons Baoyu, advising him to resume his studies. He and Baochai are then visited by two nuns paying respects. They soon proceed to Xichun’s, who hasn’t eaten for days. They talk about Adamantina, who the nuns had thought a bit strange, and about karma, to which Xichun is very receptive. She tells them of her desire to become a nun; they goad her, attracting her anger, and leave. Landscape, unable to dissuade her, reports to Youshi and Ladies Xing and Wang about Xichun’s desire; Youshi thinks she’s using it as leverage, and the Ladies are also unable to talk her out of it.

Zhen Baoyu is announced, and Lady Wang entertains Lady Zhen while Zheng meets him. Zheng, impressed by Zhen Baoyu’s abilities, calls for his sons. Zheng leaves them together; the Baoyus are both fascinated by each other but Huan and Lan’s presence forces formality on them, and they lavish each other with formal praise while reflecting on their first impressions of their counterpart’s character. The conversation is awkward; Lan is priggish towards Zhen Baoyu, while he in turn is very earnest, irritating Baoyu. They are called to join the women; each mother is very warm to the other Baoyu, and the maids come to take a look at them. Lady Wang consents to act as a matchmaker for Zhen Baoyu, suggesting Li Wan’s cousins; the boys promptly remove themselves, but before long Zhen Baoyu is called to leave and they part. Baoyu is sorely disappointed, realising that, after having looked forward to their meet, they are polar opposites. He complains to Baochai about him; she responds with a diatribe and he suffers a quiet relapse.

Lady Wang tells Zheng about Xichun; he orders Youshi to dissuade her, which elicits more suicide threats. Youshi sees the force of her argument. She finds Lady Wang upbraiding Aroma, having discovered about Baoyu’s relapse. Overhearing the scolding brings Baoyu round, and Lady Wang sends for a doctor on his advice. He soon suffers a major deterioration, missing the service ending mourning for Lady Jia. When the family return and see his condition they begin to make funeral arrangements. A monk arrives at the door claiming to have Baoyu’s jade and asking for money. They want to send him away, but Zheng decides to invite him in in the hope that it might cure Baoyu. In the confusion, the ladies are unable to withdraw in time as the monk hurries in to Baoyu. They are too shocked to judge the authenticity of the jade and to give him the money he asks for, but Baoyu shows immediate recovery when presented with the jade. All are greatly relieved; the monk is presented to Zheng; he ignores Zheng’s questions and demands payment. Zheng leaves to see Baoyu; Lady Wang suggests pawning everything, but Baoyu and Zheng find it strange that he wants money at all. Baoyu starts eating with some gusto; Musk makes an excited reference to her delight that Baoyu had not smashed the jade, which throws him back into a slump.