Chapter 118

记微嫌舅兄斯弱女

惊谜语妻妾谏痴人

Lady Wang adds her reluctant consent to Youshi’s, as long as Xichun doesn’t shave her head – her apartment will be her hermitage. To Aroma’s surprise, Baoyu is not distressed, merely sighing. It is apparent that none of Xichun’s maids share her aspiration for a religious life, but Nightingale volunteers; Baoyu calmly gives his consent, praising her resolve. With the matter settled, Baoyu announces that Xichun’s becoming a nun is predestined, reciting lines from the Register. Lady Wang, Baochai and Aroma are reduced to tears; Nightingale’s wish is granted, and Aroma wails that she wishes to join her, which Baoyu declares is not her fate. They retire for the night.

Zheng, delayed in his journey by a military convoy, learns that Tanchun’s father-in-law has been recalled to the capital. Having run out of money, he asks the local yamen, Steward Lai’s son, for a loan; the yamen doesn’t give enough, making the situation awkward, and writes advising his father to leave Rongguo. Qiang turns the request down, disappointing Yun, who is suffering huge gambling debts. He asks in vain for a loan from Huan, but they do discuss selling Qiaojie to the Mongol prince. Wang Ren joins, and he and Xing Dequan lend the scheme support, and while Lady Wang is sceptical, Qiaojie’s grandmother Lady Xing is taken in. The prince is notified and sends some of his palace ladies to inspect her. Qiaojie is embarrassed by being so ogled, and Patience guesses the truth and is horrified to find out the full details. Lady Wang feels something is amiss, and is upset at Lady Xing’s immovability and feels Lian will blame her; she tells Baochai and Baoyu, who just talks about her destiny; Lady Wang retires. A letter has come from Zheng, giving the news about Tanchun and reminding Lan and Baoyu to study hard. Li Wan’s mother arrives to discuss Li Qi’s arranged wedding to Zhen Baoyu, and they discuss the letter with Lan. Baoyu, meanwhile, is absorbed in Zhuangzi, which disappoints Baochai; they discuss the ideals of the sages, Baochai encouraging him to work hard for the exams and achieve worldly success. Aroma weighs in, asking Baoyu to be more considerate towards people. Jia Lan arrives with Zheng’s letter; he proposes that he and Baoyu work on their compositions together, which delights Aroma. After Lan leaves, he rereads the letter and asks his maids to store his favourite esoteric books away, saying they are worthless. Baochai is delighted, until she overhears him quietly reciting a religious text. He sets down to work; Baochai and Aroma discuss him and decide to try and isolate him from others. Oriole is put in charge and Baoyu never leaves his room, apart from to visit Lady Jia’s shrine on her birthday. Oriole repeats to him Lady Wang’s praise for his studiousness, and hopes that, with luck, he can pass the examinations. Baoyu tells her that she might prove to be the lucky one in the end.